LAKE CHARLES, La. (Interstat) -- Northwestern State visits McNeese State on Thursday night, opening a three-game Southland Conference series at Sudduth Coliseum. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. under a forecast of 82 degrees and rain.

The Demons (25-21) enter having lost six of their last seven, most recently a 12-1 defeat Tuesday at Louisiana Tech. The Cowboys (23-23) countered with a 7-1 win Sunday at Stephen F. Austin, snapping a four-game skid.

Northwestern State will look to junior right-hander Chase Prestwich, who has allowed one earned run over 7 1/3 innings across his last four appearances. Prestwich threw a scoreless inning against Louisiana Tech on Tuesday and has not allowed a hit in two of his past three outings. For the season, he carries a 1.93 ERA over 23 1/3 innings.

McNeese State counters with red-hot junior outfielder Danny Barbero. The right fielder is batting .500 (5-for-10) with three home runs and four RBIs over his past three games, including two homers Sunday at Stephen F. Austin. Barbero has five home runs in his last 10 contests.

The game is the first of a three-game set, continuing Friday and Saturday. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-2 McNeese State victory, but the Demons hold a two-game edge in the overall standings.