Preview: Towson at Villanova

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. (Interstat) — The Towson Tigers and Villanova Wildcats, two teams struggling near the bottom of their respective conferences, meet Wednesday afternoon at Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth.

First pitch is set for the midweek non-conference clash under clear skies with a temperature of 83 degrees.

Towson (17-27) enters having lost six of its last seven, including a 8-0 shutout at Hofstra on Sunday. The Tigers managed just two hits in that game, with left fielder Brady Nathison going 1-for-2. Starter Liam Diehl took the loss, allowing five earned runs on no hits over three innings with three strikeouts.

Diehl, a pitcher to watch for Towson, has struggled recently. In his last four starts — all losses — he has posted a 15.75 ERA across 14 2/3 innings, with 16 strikeouts and 13 earned runs allowed. He was tagged for seven earned runs in 3 2/3 innings against Stony Brook on April 26.

Villanova (16-26) also lost Sunday, falling 14-5 at Georgetown. Left fielder Joseph Montgomery was the standout, going 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs. Montgomery has been one of the Wildcats’ most consistent hitters, batting .333 over his last six games with three homers and 10 RBIs. He had a 4-for-6, three-RBI performance in a win at Georgetown on May 1.

The Wildcats have won four of their last six, taking two of three at Georgetown and beating Saint Joseph’s 8-7 on April 28. But they have been prone to blowout losses, giving up 20 runs to Creighton on April 18 and 14 to Georgetown on Sunday.

Towson’s pitching staff has been a concern. In its last seven losses, the Tigers have allowed an average of 8.7 runs per game. Their offense has been inconsistent, scoring 12 runs against George Washington on April 28 but being shut out twice in the past week.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a close contest, with Villanova winning 4-3.

Both teams have key series ahead. Towson travels to William & Mary for a three-game set beginning Friday, while Villanova hosts St. John’s for a three-game series starting the same day.