AP Sports Preview

LEWISBURG, Pa. (Interstat) — The Holy Cross Crusaders and Bucknell Bison meet Wednesday at Eugene B. Depew Field in a Patriot League series finale, with both teams seeking momentum in the final stretch of the regular season.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under cloudy skies with temperatures near 80 degrees.

Holy Cross (24-28) enters after a 9-5 loss at Bucknell on Tuesday, falling to 2-3 in the season series. The Crusaders have dropped two of their last three overall. Braden Connors has been a bright spot, going 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs in Tuesday’s defeat. Over his last six games, Connors is batting .429 (9-for-21) with two homers and seven RBIs. Holy Cross counters a 1-4 road record in its last five away contests.

Bucknell (27-23) snapped a two-game skid with Tuesday’s win, improving to 19-12 at home. Shortstop Ty Lagoni went 2-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs on Tuesday and is hitting .308 over his last 10 games with four extra-base hits. The Bison have won five of their last eight overall and hold a 4-1 edge in the head-to-head series this month.

The teams split a doubleheader April 11, with Bucknell taking the opener 5-4 and Holy Cross winning the nightcap 7-5. Bucknell also won 12-4 on April 12, while Holy Cross took the series opener 14-5 on April 10.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-5 Holy Cross victory, though Bucknell’s home-field advantage and recent head-to-head success could shift the outcome.

Holy Cross right-hander Jake Lenahan, who allowed five earned runs in six innings Tuesday, is expected to start. Bucknell’s Everett Garber (3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER on Tuesday) may be available in relief.

First pitch weather: 80 degrees, clouds.