ROCK HILL, S.C. (Interstat) — The Winthrop Eagles host the Longwood Lancers on Friday night at Winthrop Ballpark in a Big South Conference series opener, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. under clear skies and 72-degree weather.

Winthrop (31-21) enters with a three-game lead over Longwood (28-22) in the overall standings. The teams played Thursday at the same venue, though the result was not immediately available. The series concludes Saturday.

Longwood is coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of Charleston Southern, capped by a 21-3 loss Sunday. The Lancers were outscored 42-7 in the series and have lost six of their last eight overall.

One bright spot for Longwood has been right fielder Ben Pulliam. Over his last 10 games, the junior is hitting .286 (10-for-35) with two home runs, four RBIs and six runs scored. He went 2-for-3 with a homer and an RBI in the 21-3 loss to Charleston Southern on May 10, and also homered April 24 at Binghamton. He is batting .275 for the season.

Winthrop, meanwhile, is coming off a 5-2 win at South Carolina on Tuesday. The Eagles have won two of their last three after dropping three of four at High Point. They are 16-10 at home this season.

Right-handed reliever Colby McNeely has been a key arm out of the bullpen. In his last appearance Tuesday, the senior threw three scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out three. He has a 4.76 ERA on the year, but has been effective in longer outings, including four shutout frames against USC Upstate on April 19.

The Eagles’ offense is led by center fielder Ethan Wilson, who homered and drove in two runs in Tuesday’s win.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Winthrop is projected to win 5-4.

The Lancers will need to reverse a recent trend: they have lost seven of their last nine road games. Longwood’s pitching staff has a 6.28 ERA in May.

Winthrop will look to build momentum as it heads into the final stretch of the regular season. Both teams have a quick turnaround with another game scheduled Saturday afternoon.

Friday’s game marks the second of a four-game season series between the Big South rivals, with all games being played at Winthrop Ballpark.