AP Sports Preview

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Interstat) — East Tennessee State hosts Radford in a nonconference baseball game Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Thomas Stadium. The forecast calls for 73 degrees and cloudy.

ETSU enters with a 29-16 overall record. Radford is 21-21.

The Buccaneers and Highlanders met April 7 in Radford, Virginia, with Radford winning 4-3.

Radford outlook

The Highlanders are coming off a 14-5 loss Sunday at Virginia. First baseman/left fielder Breckin Nace went 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs.

Radford has split its last 10 games, including a three-game series win at Presbyterian (April 24-26) and a series win over Gardner-Webb (April 17-19).

Pitcher Raymond Ladd is a key arm for the Highlanders. The right-hander has made four appearances this spring. He threw seven innings in an 8-4 win over Gardner-Webb on April 17, allowing two earned runs on six hits with seven strikeouts. Ladd also worked two scoreless innings of relief at Virginia on Sunday, striking out four.

ETSU outlook

ETSU enters with momentum despite a 4-3 loss Sunday at Connecticut. The Buccaneers won the first two games of that series, 6-1 and 14-7.

ETSU is 7-3 in its last 10 games. The Buccaneers swept a three-game home series against The Citadel (April 17-19) and split a four-game set at Western Carolina (April 24-26).

Pitcher Cooper Jones is a pitcher to watch for the Buccaneers. The right-hander had a strong outing Sunday at Connecticut, throwing five innings and allowing three earned runs while striking out five. His best start came April 19 against The Citadel, when he threw six innings, allowed one earned run on four hits and struck out eight in a 12-1 win.

Projection

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-5 ETSU victory.

Looking ahead

Radford hosts UNC Asheville for a three-game series starting Friday. ETSU travels to Wofford for a three-game series beginning Friday.