MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Interstat) — The surging Longwood Lancers, off to their best start in years, will look to continue their hot streak under threatening skies when they visit the Alabama State Hornets on Friday at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CDT amid a forecast of 76-degree temperatures and rain.

Longwood (11-2) enters riding a five-game winning streak, including a 9-4 road victory at Richmond on Tuesday. The Lancers’ .846 winning percentage is among the nation’s best early in the 2026 season. Alabama State (6-6) seeks consistency after a 13-4 loss to in-state power Alabama on Wednesday snapped a brief two-game win streak.

A key player to watch for the Lancers is reliever Alex Strickland. The right-hander has been dominant lately, most notably tossing 2 2/3 perfect innings with three strikeouts in the win over Richmond. His recent outings have been a mix of high-leverage success and occasional trouble, making his appearance a potential turning point.

For the Hornets, outfielder Devin Chandler provides the primary power threat. He launched a three-run homer against Alabama and also homered in a win over Valparaiso on Feb. 27. His ability to drive in runs will be crucial for an Alabama State lineup facing a confident Longwood pitching staff.

The Lancers’ offense has produced at least six runs in eight of their 11 wins. In the Richmond victory, Jae’dan Carter went 2-for-5 with a home run, while relievers Strickland and Jackson Nash combined for 4 1/3 scoreless innings.

Alabama State will look to rebound behind its own reliable bullpen arms. In the loss to Alabama, Joe Dolinshek and Owen Corbett combined for four innings of relief, allowing just one earned run and striking out seven.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Longwood is projected to win 8-5. Weather permitting, the game opens a three-game weekend series between the teams, with a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday and the finale on Sunday.