PREVIEW: Tarleton State at Sacramento State

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — Tarleton State visits Sacramento State on Saturday evening at John Smith Field in a Western Athletic Conference matchup with postseason implications for both teams.

The Texans (33-18) hold a strong overall record but dropped the series opener 8-5 on Thursday. Friday’s game was not played. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. under clear skies with temperatures near 83 degrees.

Sacramento State (25-29) has been inconsistent but showed power in Thursday’s win. The Hornets have won four of their last six games, including a 19-2 rout at California Baptist on May 10.

Tarleton State pitcher Matthew McCullough (2-0, 1.80 ERA in his last three outings) is a key figure. The right-hander threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts against the Hornets on Thursday, allowing no hits. In his previous start, he tossed five innings and earned a win against Texas-Rio Grande Valley. Over his last five appearances, McCullough has surrendered only seven earned runs in 21 1/3 innings, striking out 16.

Sacramento State shortstop Jace Jeremiah is the Hornets’ offensive catalyst. He went 3-for-4 with four RBIs in Thursday’s victory and is hitting .429 over his last five games with a home run and six RBIs. In the past 10 games, Jeremiah has multiple hits in six contests.

The two teams have split their recent head-to-head meetings. Tarleton State won the previous series in April, but Sacramento State took Thursday’s matchup with strong pitching from Trevor Wilson (two innings, one hit, two strikeouts) and Devin James (two scoreless innings). Tarleton State’s Ike Shirey contributed two RBIs in the loss.

Interstat’s game simulator projects an 8-5 Tarleton State win, but the same system’s ELO model gives Sacramento State a 51.2% probability of victory.

Tarleton State’s offense has been potent this season, averaging 7.2 runs per game. The Hornets have struggled at times, but their lineup is capable of breaking out, as shown by their 19-run performance at Cal Baptist.

With the WAC tournament approaching, both teams need wins to solidify their standing. The Texans are fighting for a top seed, while the Hornets aim to move above .500 in conference play.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.