WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Interstat) — The Western Carolina Catamounts and Wake Forest Demon Deacons conclude their three-game series Saturday at 6 p.m. at Gene Hooks Field at Wake Forest Baseball Park.

Wake Forest (33-17) took the opener 6-1 on Friday, and holds a 78.7 percent win probability according to the Interstat ELO system. The Game Simulator projects an 8-6 Western Carolina victory. First pitch is set for 66 degrees and clear.

Wake Forest right-hander Zach Johnston will be a key figure in the bullpen. In Friday’s win, Johnston threw 4.0 scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out five. The 6-foot-2 righty has not allowed an earned run over 9.2 innings across his last six appearances, spanning 10 days. He has 14 strikeouts in that stretch.

Western Carolina (32-18) will turn to right-handed reliever Ryan White. White threw 1.2 scoreless innings in Friday’s loss, surrendering no hits with two strikeouts. He has not allowed an earned run in his last four outings (4.1 innings), striking out five.

The Catamounts have won five of their last six games. Their offense exploded for 13 runs against East Tennessee State on April 26 and 18 runs against Virginia Military Institute on April 18. Western Carolina has also beaten UNC Asheville (4-1) and won two of three at Wofford earlier this month.

Wake Forest has won nine of its last 11 contests. The Demon Deacons took two of three from Louisville last weekend, winning 7-5 and 6-5, then beat Appalachian State 3-2 in a midweek game. Friday’s offensive production came from first baseman Kade Lewis (2-for-4, home run, 3 RBI) and designated hitter Andrew Costello (2-for-3, home run, 2 RBI).

Western Carolina continues its road trip at Presbyterian on Tuesday. Wake Forest travels to Liberty on Tuesday before opening a three-game series at Duke next Thursday.

The series concludes Sunday at 1 p.m.