GREENVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — A pivotal early American Athletic Conference series opens Thursday when the Charlotte 49ers visit the East Carolina Pirates at Clark-LeClair Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature near 82 degrees.

Charlotte (18-10) enters having won two of three against South Florida, including a 10-3 victory Sunday. The 49ers have won five of their last seven.

East Carolina (17-12) looks to build momentum after a 14-8 midweek win over UNC Wilmington on Tuesday. The Pirates have alternated wins and losses over their last six games.

A key matchup will feature Charlotte’s versatile right-hander Adam Stanton against East Carolina’s power-hitting center fielder Grayden Lenahan.

Stanton has been dominant in extended relief, most recently tossing eight shutout innings with four strikeouts in Sunday’s win. Over his last four appearances spanning 13 innings, he has allowed just one earned run. His role for Thursday was unspecified.

Lenahan provides the pop for ECU, driving in 12 runs over his last six games. He went 3 for 4 with a home run and five RBIs in Tuesday’s victory, his third homer in a seven-game span.

The series is a contrast in recent trends. Charlotte’s offense has scored 10 or more runs in four of its last six wins. East Carolina’s pitching, aside from Tuesday, has struggled, allowing eight or more runs in three of its last five losses.

Statistical projections offer a split verdict. Interstat’s game simulator predicts a narrow 7-6 victory for Charlotte, while its ELO rating system gives East Carolina a 62.9% probability to win.

Following Thursday’s opener, the series continues Friday and Saturday in Greenville.