ITTA BENA, Miss. (Interstat) — Jackson State visits Mississippi Valley State on Friday at Magnolia Field in a Southwestern Athletic Conference matchup set for a 70-degree first pitch under cloudy skies.

The Tigers (19-22) enter the series opener having won four of their last five games, including a 6-2 victory over Alcorn State on Monday. Mississippi Valley State (11-31) has lost eight of its last 10 decisions, most recently a 10-5 defeat Tuesday at Louisiana-Monroe.

Jackson State right-hander Derek Arrocha is scheduled to start. The senior has been dominant in three of his last four outings, allowing one earned run over 20 innings in those starts. On May 4 against Alcorn State, Arrocha (6 innings, 4 hits, 0 runs, 6 strikeouts) earned the win. He also tossed eight innings of one-run ball April 19 against Alabama State, striking out nine. His lone recent stumble came April 12 against Florida A&M, when he surrendered 12 earned runs in 2⅓ innings of an 8-23 loss.

Mississippi Valley State will counter with Gage Deutsch. The right-hander has struggled this season, logging 5⅓ innings across his last four appearances with 12 runs allowed (Interstat) — only four of which were earned, but the lack of length has taxed the Delta Devils bullpen. Deutsch went 3⅓ innings Tuesday against Louisiana-Monroe (0 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 strikeouts), but he failed to record an out in an April 11 loss to Bethune-Cookman after surrendering five runs.

The teams met once previously this season, with Mississippi Valley State posting a 14-8 win at Jackson State on Feb. 28. The Delta Devils have dropped six consecutive SWAC series after taking that opener.

Jackson State’s offense has produced at least six runs in six of its last seven games. The Tigers swept a three-game set against Alcorn State over the weekend, outscoring the Braves 29-4. Jaedeyn Edwards contributed two scoreless relief innings Monday, and catcher Hederick Torres drove in a run.

Mississippi Valley State has been outscored 69-20 during its current losing streak. The Delta Devils have lost 14 of 15 SWAC games, with their lone conference win coming Feb. 28 against Jackson State.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-0 Jackson State victory, and the ELO system gives the Tigers a 79.1 percent probability to win.

The teams conclude the three-game series Saturday and Sunday. Jackson State then hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff for a three-game set beginning May 14. Mississippi Valley State travels to Prairie View for a series starting the same day.