Morehead State vs. Bellarmine Midweek Preview/Predictions
Bellarmine’s AJ Swader stands in at the box. (Photo by Emma Fletcher/Bellarmine Athletics)
The Morehead State Eagles (17-18, 5-7 OVC) will be hosting the Bellarmine Knights (16-19, 9-6 ASun) at Allen Field on Tuesday, 4/14. First pitch is set for 5:05 PM EST.
The all-time series between these two teams is split at three wins apiece and dates back to 2022. Bellarmine took both matchups of the set last season, outscoring Morehead State by a total of 37-17 over 17 innings. The Eagles are coming off a series loss against Southeast Missouri St.; however Morehead won the last game of the series with a go-ahead home run in the ninth off the bat of shortstop Jaden Correa. Bellarmine is looking to continue their momentum from a sweep at Eastern Kentucky this past weekend. Morehead State’s projected starting pitcher is Landon Waugh and Bellarmine’s starter is currently TBD.
Why Morehead could win:
The Eagles have been hot recently despite the series loss at SEMO, having won 6 of their last 8 and their last 4 home games. Waugh has struggled in a few starts this season but has been excellent at forcing swings and misses, forcing over one strikeout an inning this season. The lineup can hit for power up and down, with four starters having an OPS over 1.000. In general this is a high powered offense that can both get on base and use their power to bring baserunners home, and will look to carry recent home momentum to bounce back from their weekend series loss.
Why Bellarmine could win:
The Knights have a patient offense that can draw walks; multiple starters have more walks than strikeouts on the season and overall this team takes very smart approaches to the plate. This lineup has had pop as well, having notched double digit runs in each of their last three games. Led by Atlantic Sun Player of the Week AJ Swader who has posted a stat line of 9 HR/48 RBI/1.210 OPS this season, the Knights have an incredibly potent offense. They are always live to work counts, play smart baseball, and strike while the iron is hot.
Player to Watch:
Bellarmine INF AJ Swader: The aforementioned Atlantic Sun Player of the Week has boosted his average from .340 to .379 since the beginning of April, and has homered in back to back games coming into this midweek matchup. Swader has 11 hits in his last 19 at-bats, and has 14 RBI in that stretch as well. This man’s bat is on fire right now, and he is a force to be reckoned with in the heart of Bellarmine’s batting order.
Editor’s Picks:
I chose this one to preview for a reason as I think it will be a great game between two absolutely electric offenses. These two teams are at somewhat of a crossroads at this point in the season, with about six weeks until Selection Monday and both having had middle of the pack starts to conference play. I really could see this one going either way; I’m going with Bellarmine (+140, Draftkings) due to their ability to work counts, recent hot streak and I just cannot back betting against a player who has been hitting as hot as AJ Swader recently. I also recommend the over if it is anywhere in the mid to high teens based on how these teams have matched up in the past. This game will likely be high-scoring, incredibly fun, and could provide for a midweek thriller down south. Enjoy!
