CYPRESS, La. (Interstat) — The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks visit the Northwestern State Demons on Friday at H. Alvin Brown–C. C. Stroud Field, with first pitch scheduled for a 78-degree, cloudy evening.

Stephen F. Austin (21-19) enters the Southland Conference series opener after a three-game sweep at home against Nicholls State, culminating in a 5-0 shutout loss Sunday. The Lumberjacks have dropped four of their last six overall.

Northwestern State (23-18) looks to snap a three-game losing streak, including a 4-1 home loss Tuesday against Louisiana-Monroe. The Demons have won only once in their last seven contests.

The Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-2 win for the Lumberjacks.

Players to watch include Stephen F. Austin right-hander Dylan Mulcahy, who threw 5.2 innings in the 5-0 loss Sunday, allowing five hits and four earned runs with nine strikeouts. He earned a win March 29 against Houston Christian, tossing 5.1 shutout innings.

For Northwestern State, right-hander Caleb Muffoletto comes off a 4-inning start Tuesday, allowing two hits and one earned run with four strikeouts against Louisiana-Monroe. He has not allowed a run in his last two appearances covering three innings.

The teams continue the three-game set Saturday and Sunday. Stephen F. Austin hosts Houston on Tuesday, while Northwestern State visits Arkansas for a two-game series beginning the same day.