TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (Interstat) – Belmont visits Indiana State on Friday afternoon at Bob Warn Field at Sycamore Stadium, with the Sycamores heavily favored in the Missouri Valley Conference matchup. Clear skies and 63 degrees are expected for the first pitch.

Indiana State (29-23) hosts Belmont (19-33) as the Sycamores look to build on an 11-6 win over Lindenwood on Tuesday. Third baseman Mason Roell has been a key contributor, batting 2-for-3 with four RBIs in that game. Over his last 10 games, Roell has five multi-hit performances, including home runs May 1 at Southern Illinois (2-for-5, five RBIs) and May 9 at Murray State (2-for-5, two RBIs). He is hitting .292 (7-for-24) over his last six contests.

Belmont comes off an 11-1 loss at Tennessee on Tuesday, where starting pitcher Cole Kenyon struggled, allowing two earned runs in 2.2 innings without a hit. Kenyon has been inconsistent; in his previous outing April 21 at Tennessee-Martin, he allowed one earned run in two innings with two strikeouts. The Bruins have lost four straight and eight of their last 10.

The teams met Thursday in the series opener; no result was available. The series continues Saturday with another game in Terre Haute.

Indiana State’s offense has been potent, averaging 6.0 runs per game over its last five contests. Roell leads the charge, while outfielder Carter Beck also homered Tuesday. The Sycamores’ pitching staff held Lindenwood to six runs. Indiana State took two of three at Murray State last weekend and has won four of its last six.

Belmont’s bullpen showed some promise Tuesday as relievers Sam Heyman and Zane Brown each tossed a scoreless inning. However, the Bruins have allowed at least eight runs in four of their last five losses. They were swept by Southern Illinois last weekend, losing 13-4, 9-4 and 8-3, and dropped two of three to Bradley the previous weekend. Belmont has struggled offensively, scoring three or fewer runs in six of its last nine games.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 6-4 Indiana State victory, and the ELO system gives the Sycamores a 75.6 percent chance to win.

First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon. Both teams will face off again Saturday at the same venue.