Preview: Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Saint Joseph’s Hawks

MERION STATION, Pa. (Interstat) — The surging Saint Joseph’s Hawks will look to extend their winning streak when they host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a nonconference matchup Wednesday at Smithson Field.

First pitch is scheduled for the evening under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature near 82 degrees.

Saint Joseph’s (23-10) enters riding high after a three-game road sweep of Dayton, capped by an 18-5 rout Sunday. The Hawks have won 10 of their last 11 games, with their offense averaging over nine runs per contest during that stretch.

A key catalyst has been catcher Blake Primrose. In his last five games, Primrose is 9 for 21 (.429) with five home runs and 18 RBIs, including a 3-for-5, two-homer, seven-RBI performance in Sunday’s win.

Rutgers (17-18) seeks to rebound after being swept at home by UCLA over the weekend, culminating in a 9-2 loss Sunday. The Scarlet Knights have lost four of their last five.

A player to watch for Rutgers is reliever Jason Masick, who has been effective in a bullpen role. In his last five appearances, Masick has allowed just two earned runs over 9.0 innings, striking out nine. He tossed 1.1 scoreless innings in Sunday’s loss.

The Hawks’ potent lineup, however, presents a significant challenge. Saint Joseph’s has scored 10 or more runs in eight of its 23 wins this season.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a Saint Joseph’s victory with a final score of 7-2.

Following this game, Saint Joseph’s opens a three-game home Atlantic 10 series against George Mason on Friday. Rutgers begins Big Ten play at Penn State on Friday.