EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (Interstat) — SIU Edwardsville hosts Tennessee-Martin in an Ohio Valley Conference baseball game Friday at Roy E. Lee Field at Simmons Baseball Complex. First pitch is set for a clear evening with temperatures around 72 degrees.

The Cougars (32-21) enter the game after beating the Skyhawks 8-2 on Thursday in the series opener. SIU Edwardsville has won nine of its last 10 games, including a three-game sweep at Eastern Illinois last weekend. Tennessee-Martin (23-27) has lost four of its last five, including two lopsided midweek defeats at Mississippi.

Tennessee-Martin right-hander Jacob Sitton is scheduled to start. The junior has struggled recently, going 0-4 with a 13.50 ERA over his last four starts. In Thursday’s loss against SIU Edwardsville, Sitton allowed five earned runs on zero hits over seven innings, walking three and striking out six. The line reflected an unusual outing: he issued nine walks in the game and threw 127 pitches. His best start this season came April 17 at Southern Indiana, when he threw a nine-inning, one-run complete game with six strikeouts.

SIU Edwardsville designated hitter Joshua Heyder has been one of the hottest hitters in the conference. The sophomore homered twice and drove in three runs Thursday against the Skyhawks. Over his last 10 games, Heyder is batting .378 with four home runs and 10 RBIs. He has reached base safely in eight of his last nine contests.

The Cougars’ pitching staff has held Tennessee-Martin to two runs in the series opener. SIU Edwardsville starter Spencer Stearns allowed two earned runs over six innings Thursday, and reliever Joseph Martin worked two scoreless frames.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 7-5 SIU Edwardsville victory, giving the Cougars a 70.9 percent probability of winning.

Both teams conclude the three-game series Saturday at the same venue.