CARBONDALE, Ill. (Interstat) — A surging Miami (Ohio) squad will look to extend its early-season success when it visits a struggling Southern Illinois team for a nonconference baseball game Wednesday evening at Abe Martin Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under cloudy skies with temperatures around 44 degrees.

The Redhawks (6-1) enter with significant momentum, having won five of their last six, including a 5-3 victory at Illinois State on Sunday. The Salukis (1-5) are looking to halt a four-game skid, most recently falling 9-8 at Appalachian State on Sunday.

Miami will rely on the arm of right-hander Clayton Burke, who is coming off a dominant performance. In Sunday’s win over Illinois State, Burke pitched six innings of no-hit ball, allowing two earned runs while striking out five. He will be opposed by a Southern Illinois starter to be announced.

At the plate, the Redhawks have shown consistent power, scoring 10 or more runs in four of their seven games. Outfielder Ryan Novak provided key offense Sunday with a three-run homer.

Southern Illinois will need a spark from third baseman Cecil Lofton. Lofton drove in four runs, including a home run, in Sunday’s loss to Appalachian State. The Salukis’ pitching staff, which got scoreless relief outings from Ryan Halamicek and Dawson Hargrove last weekend, will be tested by a potent Miami lineup.

The teams are on divergent paths. Miami’s only loss was an 11-3 defeat at Indiana State on Feb. 20, while Southern Illinois’s lone win was a 4-2 victory at Oral Roberts on Feb. 13.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Miami is projected to win 8-1.

Following Wednesday’s contest, Miami travels to face Southeast Missouri State for a four-game series beginning Friday. Southern Illinois opens a three-game home set against Seton Hall on Friday.