MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Interstat) — Liberty takes on Middle Tennessee on Saturday afternoon at Reese Smith Jr. Field in a Conference USA series that has already seen the Flames and Blue Raiders split the first two games.

Liberty (37-18) enters with a 71.5 percent chance to win according to Interstat’s ELO system, which projects a 5-4 final score. The Flames rebounded from a 8-1 loss Thursday with a 10-2 rout Friday, evening the series. Middle Tennessee (26-28) looks to regain momentum before the weekend finale.

The forecast calls for 72 degrees and cloudy skies at first pitch.

Players to Watch

Liberty right-hander Josh Swink has been dominant in his last two outings against Middle Tennessee. On Friday, he threw seven shutout innings, allowing no hits and one earned run while striking out two. Over his past seven appearances, Swink has compiled 25 innings, surrendering just seven hits and seven earned runs with 21 strikeouts.

For Middle Tennessee, reliever Colin Kerrigan has struggled recently. In Friday’s loss, he pitched 2.1 innings, allowing no earned runs but striking out one. Over his last seven outings, Kerrigan has worked 7.1 innings, giving up six earned runs on six hits while striking out nine.

Recent History

Friday’s game saw Liberty’s offense explode. Designated hitter Ryan Drumm went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs, while second baseman Easton Swofford added a homer and four RBIs. Liberty’s pitching held Middle Tennessee to two runs.

Thursday’s contest was the opposite: Middle Tennessee won 8-1 behind strong pitching from starter Joseph Cates, who threw a scoreless inning, and second baseman Cooper Clapp’s 2-for-4, one-homer, one-RBI performance.

Season Context

Liberty enters having won three of its last four games, including a 3-2 victory over Louisiana Tech on Sunday. The Flames are 5-2 in their last seven road games.

Middle Tennessee has lost five of its last six, with the lone win coming Thursday. The Blue Raiders are 2-6 in their last eight home contests.

The game marks the final regular-season meeting between the two teams this year. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT.