ORONO, Maine (Interstat) — The University of Maine Black Bears (19-30) host the University at Albany Great Danes (15-30) on Saturday afternoon at Mahaney Diamond in an America East matchup that carries postseason implications for both sides.

The forecast calls for 58 degrees and rain at first pitch.

Maine enters with momentum after winning the first two games of the series: 12-1 on Thursday and 7-5 on Friday. The Black Bears have won three of their last four overall, while Albany has lost three straight.

Players to watch

Albany right-hander Matthew Mariano is scheduled to start. In Friday’s 7-5 loss to Maine, he tossed 3.1 innings, allowing no hits but two earned runs and striking out four. Over his past four outings, Mariano has a 6.00 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 18 innings, including a win against NJIT on April 24 (5 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 3 K). He has struggled with command, issuing seven earned runs in 4.2 innings at UMBC on May 3.

For Maine, outfielder Juju Stevens has been the offensive catalyst. In Friday’s win, he went 1-for-2 with a home run and four RBIs. A day earlier, he was 2-for-3 with a homer and an RBI. Over his last 10 games, Stevens is batting .250 with three homers and 10 RBIs, including a go-ahead blast in the series opener. He has reached base safely in eight of his last 12 contests.

Recent history

Maine’s pitching has stifled Albany in the first two games. Friday’s starter Pierce Friedman earned the win with 2.1 innings of relief (3 H, 0 ER, 3 K), while Vaun Larisa worked 4.2 innings, allowing six hits and three earned runs. Dylan Banner took the loss for Albany with 2.1 innings of relief (0 H, 1 ER, 3 K). First baseman Jaxon Mueller provided Albany’s only significant offense Friday, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs.

Albany’s season has been marked by inconsistency. The Great Danes have lost seven of their last 10, though they did beat Le Moyne 20-3 on May 12. Maine has split its last 10, with series wins against Binghamton and UMBC earlier in the spring.

Projection

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-3 Maine victory, giving the Black Bears a 62.9 percent win probability. Maine’s ELO rating suggests a clear edge, especially with home-field advantage and recent head-to-head success.

Saturday’s game is the series finale. A Maine win would extend their winning streak to three and improve their conference standing heading into the final week of the regular season. Albany seeks to avoid a sweep and salvage a win before returning home.