Preview: Indiana State at Western Kentucky

HADLEY, Ky. (Interstat) — The Indiana State Sycamores and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, both seeking to climb above .500, open a three-game series Friday at Nick Denes Field.

First pitch is scheduled for the evening, though rain is in the forecast with a game-time temperature of 73 degrees.

Indiana State (6-6) arrives after a tough 11-inning, 9-8 loss at Penn State last Sunday. Third baseman Mason Roell was a bright spot in that defeat, going 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs. Roell has been a key offensive force, collecting six hits, including two homers, in his last four games.

Western Kentucky (7-7) looks to rebound from a 5-2 home loss to Cincinnati on Tuesday. Right-hander Gage Olsen, who started that game, is a player to watch. Olsen has been inconsistent, allowing four earned runs in one-third of an inning against Indiana on Feb. 28, but also tossing 4 2/3 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts against Southeast Missouri State on Feb. 21.

The Sycamores have shown resilience, winning three of their last five, including a series victory at Penn State last weekend. The Hilltoppers have split their last six contests.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, this contest projects to be a tight one, with a predicted final score of Indiana State 6, Western Kentucky 5.

The series continues Saturday and Sunday afternoons in Hadley.