PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. (Interstat) — Saint Joseph’s, riding a dominant 29-13 season, visits Villanova on Tuesday afternoon at Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth. First pitch is scheduled under clear skies and a temperature of 70 degrees.

The Hawks enter as heavy favorites. Interstat’s game simulator projects an 8-2 victory for the visitors. Saint Joseph’s has won six of its last seven games, including a 12-2 rout at La Salle on Sunday. The lone blemish during that stretch was a 15-6 home loss to Delaware on April 22.

Right-hander Luke Parise has been the anchor of the Saint Joseph’s rotation. Over his last four starts, all Hawks victories, Parise has allowed just four earned runs across 20 innings while striking out 19 batters. In his most recent outing Sunday, he tossed five shutout innings, allowing no hits and two unearned runs with four strikeouts. He also threw six shutout frames against George Mason on April 18.

Villanova (13-25) is struggling to find consistency. The Wildcats lost two of three at Seton Hall over the weekend, including a 3-2 defeat Sunday. They have dropped 10 of their last 13 contests.

Villanova will counter with right-hander Jack Kelley. The numbers have been uneven. In his start Sunday, Kelley threw 5 2/3 innings and allowed no hits but gave up three earned runs and struck out four in a losing effort. He was tagged for seven earned runs in three innings against Creighton on April 18. Kelley has a quality start against Butler earlier this month, going six innings with three earned runs and nine strikeouts.

The recent series history favors Saint Joseph’s. The Hawks swept a two-game set at La Salle last week, winning 12-2 and 15-6. Villanova’s last win was an 11-6 decision over Seton Hall on Sunday, though the Wildcats dropped the series finale later that day.

Saint Joseph’s will host VCU for a three-game series beginning May 8. Villanova travels to Georgetown for a three-game set starting May 1.

Tuesday’s game marks a critical juncture for both teams. Saint Joseph’s looks to maintain momentum toward a potential postseason bid. Villanova aims to snap a pattern of close losses and build confidence before a difficult road stretch.