LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Interstat) – Southeast Missouri State visits Arkansas-Little Rock on Saturday afternoon in an Ohio Valley Conference series finale at Mims Gym. The Redhawks (36-16) lead the Trojans (30-23) in the standings and carry a 55.7 percent win probability per Interstat’s ELO system, which projects a 7-4 victory for the visitors.

The teams split the first two games of the series. Southeast Missouri won Thursday’s opener 4-2 behind a dominant start from right-hander Mason Pennington, who pitched 6⅔ hitless innings with four strikeouts. Pennington is scheduled to start again Saturday after throwing only 6⅔ innings Thursday, though the Redhawks’ rotation plans were not confirmed. The sophomore has been erratic this month: He tossed 4⅓ innings of two-run ball in a win over Southern Indiana on May 8, but lasted just 2⅔ innings and allowed six earned runs in a loss at Eastern Illinois on May 2.

Arkansas-Little Rock counters with right-hander Brannon Westmoreland, who took the loss Thursday despite striking out six over five innings. The senior has been sharp overall, posting a 10-strikeout shutout over seven innings against Morehead State on May 1 and a nine-inning, five-strikeout no-hitter at Lindenwood on April 24. But he has also been tagged for three runs in each of his past two starts.

Thursday’s game featured key contributions beyond the starters. For Southeast Missouri, second baseman Brooks Kettering went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs, and reliever Gavin Johnston earned a hold with 2⅓ scoreless innings. For the Trojans, first baseman Angel Cano homered and drove in two, and reliever Isaac Evaniew tossed two scoreless innings.

The weather forecast calls for 87-degree temperatures and cloudy skies.

Southeast Missouri enters on a three-game win streak, having swept Southern Indiana at home last weekend. The Redhawks have won nine of their past 12. Arkansas-Little Rock dropped two of three at Tennessee-Martin last weekend before Thursday’s loss and have lost five of their past seven.

First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon at Mims Gym, with the series finale setting up a potential tiebreaker in the OVC race.