Saint John`s at Xavier
AP Sports Preview
CINCINNATI (Interstat) — St. John’s goes for a series sweep Sunday afternoon when the Red Storm face Xavier at Marge Schott Stadium in a Big East matchup.
St. John’s (23-19) seeks its third straight victory over the Musketeers after winning 8-6 in 11 innings Saturday and 12-7 on Friday. The Red Storm lead the season series 2-0.
Xavier (19-25) looks to avoid the sweep at home. The Musketeers have lost three of four overall.
First pitch is scheduled for an evening start under cloudy skies. The temperature at game time is forecast at 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
A player to watch for St. John’s is right-handed pitcher Jack Nestler, who tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts in Saturday’s win. Nestler has allowed two earned runs over his past two appearances covering 6 2/3 innings.
For Xavier, third baseman Luke Hammond has been productive this series, going 3 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs on Saturday. Across his past five games, Hammond has 10 RBIs and two home runs.
Interstat’s game simulator projects an 8-7 victory for St. John’s.
St. John’s is coming off a 10-7 loss to Hofstra on Tuesday but had won four of five before that. Xavier lost 11-1 at Vanderbilt on Tuesday after taking two of three at Seton Hall over the weekend.
The Red Storm are scheduled to visit Hofstra on Tuesday before hosting Creighton next weekend. Xavier travels to Miami (Ohio) on Tuesday for a midweek contest.
Xavier needs a win to snap a four-game home losing streak in the series dating to last season.