NORFOLK, Va. (Interstat) — The Norfolk State Spartans, coming off a shutout victory, will look to continue their momentum when they host the struggling Coppin State Eagles in a Northeast Conference matchup Thursday at Bud Metheny Baseball Complex.

First pitch is scheduled for the evening under cloudy skies with temperatures near 83 degrees.

Norfolk State (10-16) enters having won four of its last six games, including a 4-0 win at Mercyhurst on Sunday where its pitching staff shined. A key performer was Ethan Blakeney, who threw four hitless innings of relief with five strikeouts. Over his last four appearances, Blakeney has allowed just three earned runs in 16 innings while striking out 16.

Coppin State (4-19) seeks to halt a difficult stretch, having lost 12 of its last 13 games. The Eagles are coming off a 18-1, seven-inning loss at Towson on Tuesday. A bright spot in that defeat was reliever Edwin Sanchez, who tossed 2 2/3 hitless innings. Sanchez has not allowed an earned run in three of his last four outings.

The Spartans took two of three games from Delaware State in their most recent conference series. Coppin State was swept by Fairleigh Dickinson in its last NEC action.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Norfolk State 7, Coppin State 2.

The teams will continue the series with games on Friday and Saturday in Norfolk.