Arkansas State at South Alabama preview

MOBILE, Ala. (Interstat) — South Alabama hosts Arkansas State in a Sun Belt series finale Saturday afternoon at Eddie Stanky Field.

The Jaguars (31-21) enter with a 62.90 percent probability to win, according to Interstat’s ELO system, which projects a 6-4 final score. Arkansas State (29-22) looks to build on a 10-0 shutout in Thursday’s series opener.

First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon under cloudy skies with a temperature of 83 degrees.

Projected starters and key players

Arkansas State right-hander Tyler Weimer has been erratic recently. In his last five appearances, he threw 6 2/3 shutout innings in Thursday’s win over South Alabama, allowing no hits and striking out four. Two starts earlier, on May 1 at Old Dominion, he fired 5 1/3 hitless innings with six strikeouts. But in between, he surrendered five earned runs in one inning against Texas State on May 9.

South Alabama reliever Konnor Graham also saw action Thursday, tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit. In his prior outing April 25 against Southern Mississippi, he gave up one earned run in 1 2/3 innings with two strikeouts.

Recent head-to-head

Thursday’s result marked Arkansas State’s second consecutive victory over South Alabama after the Red Wolves posted a 10-0 win May 14. The teams played a scoreless game Friday, May 15, according to available data.

Arkansas State’s offense was powered Thursday by second baseman Lane Walton (4-for-5, two RBIs) and shortstop Patrick Engskov (2-for-4, home run, three RBIs).

Team trends

Arkansas State has split its last six games, including a three-game sweep at Texas State from May 8-10. The Red Wolves won 12-0 at Arkansas-Little Rock on May 5 before dropping two of three at Old Dominion.

South Alabama has lost three of its last four, including an 8-1 defeat at Troy on May 10. The Jaguars won 12-1 at Troy on May 8 and took two of three at Texas State from May 1-3.

Game note

A win Saturday would give Arkansas State a series victory after dropping the May 15 contest. South Alabama seeks to avoid a three-game losing streak in Sun Belt play.