KENNESAW, Ga. (Interstat) — Missouri State visits Kennesaw State on Friday for a Conference USA series opener at Fred Stillwell Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. under clear skies and 70-degree temperatures.

The Bears enter the game at 30-17 overall, coming off a 7-6 win over New Mexico State on Sunday. Missouri State swept that three-game set, outscoring the Aggies 30-15. Kennesaw State, meanwhile, is 24-24 after dropping a 4-3 decision at Jacksonville State on Sunday, its second consecutive one-run loss to the Gamecocks.

Right-hander Owen Slater is a key arm for Missouri State. The Bears’ pitcher worked a season-high 5 innings in Sunday’s win, allowing 5 hits and 3 earned runs with 3 strikeouts. Slater’s recent outings have been uneven — he lasted 3 innings in a loss to Jacksonville State on May 3, giving up 2 earned runs, and threw just 0.1 inning in each of his two prior appearances, including a scoreless relief outing at Louisiana Tech on April 25.

For Kennesaw State, left-hander Ryan Gold has been effective of late. He fired 4 scoreless innings Sunday at Jacksonville State, allowing no hits and striking out 2. In his start April 17 against Louisiana Tech, Gold went 5 innings and allowed 3 hits with no earned runs and 4 strikeouts. He has also worked in relief, including a 0.1-inning stint against Georgia State on May 5 in which he allowed 3 hits and a run.

The teams met Thursday in the first game of the series, with Missouri State winning. The Bears’ most productive players in Sunday’s win included Slater (5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 K), Tyler Charlton (2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 K) and Ross Felder (2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER). Kennesaw State’s top performers Sunday were Gold (4 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K), Ty Bayer (2 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 2 K) and Ryan Renfroe (0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K).

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-4 victory for Kennesaw State.

Both teams are scheduled to play again Saturday in the series finale.