(Interstat) — AP Sports Preview

DECATUR, Ga. – Appalachian State visits Georgia State on Saturday afternoon for a Sun Belt Conference baseball series finale at Georgia State Baseball Complex. First pitch is scheduled under clear skies with temperatures near 72 degrees.

The Mountaineers (29-21 overall) enter the game after splitting the first two games of the series. They won Thursday’s opener 12-2 before falling 4-2 on Friday. Georgia State (25-28) looks to clinch its second straight win after dropping Thursday’s contest.

Appalachian State will send right-hander Nick Dirito to the mound. Dirito, who earned the win in Thursday’s series opener, tossed five scoreless innings, allowing no hits and two earned runs while striking out 11. In his previous start against Louisiana-Lafayette on May 8, he took a loss despite seven innings of three-run ball. Overall, Dirito has been a strikeout weapon, fanning eight or more in three of his last four outings.

Georgia State counters with right-hander Jacob Crews. Crews pitched three innings of relief Thursday, surrendering one hit and no earned runs with four strikeouts. His recent appearances have been brief; he threw only 0.1 innings in each of his previous two outings. Crews last started in early April, but he has posted a 4.50 ERA across his last three appearances.

The Panthers won Friday’s game 4-2, evening the series after Thursday’s blowout. Georgia State’s offense has struggled at times, scoring three or fewer runs in three of its last five games. The Mountaineers’ bats have been more consistent, averaging nearly eight runs over their last four contests.

Weather should not be a factor, with clear conditions and light winds expected throughout the afternoon.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Appalachian State 7, Georgia State 4.

Appalachian State enters Saturday with momentum from its win Thursday, but Georgia State showed resilience in Friday’s narrow victory. The series finale promises a battle between two teams jostling for Sun Belt positioning.

Note: The game is the third of a three-game conference series. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. EDT.