CHARLESTON, Ill. (Interstat) — The SIU Edwardsville Cougars visit the Eastern Illinois Panthers on Friday evening in an Ohio Valley Conference matchup at Coaches Stadium at Monier Field. First pitch is scheduled under cloudy skies with a temperature of 64 degrees.

Eastern Illinois (28-15 overall) enters the game with the better record, while SIU Edwardsville sits at 27-21. The Panthers have won three straight, including an 8-3 victory over Southeast Missouri State on Sunday. The Cougars swept a three-game home series against Lindenwood last weekend, capped by an 11-8 win Sunday.

SIU Edwardsville first baseman Ryan Niedzwiedz has been a key offensive threat. Over his past 10 games, the slugger has recorded five home runs and 13 RBIs, including a two-homer, four-RBI performance Sunday against Lindenwood. He went 2 for 5 with a home run and four RBIs in that victory.

Eastern Illinois will counter with right-hander Anthony Solis, who has been dominant recently. In his last start Sunday against Southeast Missouri State, Solis threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out two. He has not allowed an earned run in 9 2/3 innings across his past two appearances, covering three outings.

The Cougars’ bullpen also showed depth Sunday, as reliever Noah Johnson threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out three. Outfielder Cooper Eggert added three hits, including a home run and two RBIs in that game.

For Eastern Illinois, outfielder Dylan Drumke drove in four runs Sunday on two hits, including a home run. Reliever Dalton Boruff worked 3 1/3 innings, allowing three earned runs.

The series continues Saturday and Sunday as the Ohio Valley rivals meet for a three-game set. SIU Edwardsville then travels to Southern Illinois on Tuesday, while Eastern Illinois visits Illinois State.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-6 final in favor of the home team.