DALLAS (Interstat) — A pivotal Conference USA series opens Friday when the Liberty Flames visit the Dallas Baptist Patriots at Ellis Davis Field House.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature near 81 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Flames (26-10) enter with the hotter record, riding a wave of offensive momentum after a 17-7 road rout of Duke on Tuesday. Liberty has won 10 of its last 11 games.

Dallas Baptist (22-15) has also found a rhythm, winning five of its last six, including a series sweep at Sam Houston State last weekend and a 10-5 midweek victory over Texas-Arlington.

The matchup features two of the league’s most potent hitters. Liberty left fielder Nick Barone is coming off a historic performance, blasting three home runs and driving in six runs against Duke. Over his last 10 games, Barone has six homers and 19 RBIs.

He will be countered by Dallas Baptist first baseman Chayton Krauss, who went 3 for 5 with a homer and three RBIs in the Patriots’ last outing. Krauss is 8 for 20 (.400) with two homers and five RBIs over his last five games.

On the mound, Liberty’s Brandon Dahlman provided a strong relief outing against Duke, throwing three hitless innings with three strikeouts. Dallas Baptist reliever Max Luzarraga matched that with three perfect innings and four strikeouts in his last appearance.

Statistical projections offer a split verdict. The Interstat game simulator predicts a high-scoring affair with Liberty edging Dallas Baptist 8-7. However, the same service’s ELO rating system gives the Patriots a 63.3% probability of victory.

The series continues Saturday and Sunday in Dallas before both teams turn to midweek non-conference action. Liberty will host Duke next Tuesday, while Dallas Baptist travels to face TCU.