TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Interstat) — The Florida A&M Rattlers look to build on a series-opening victory when they host the Texas Southern Tigers on Friday night in a Southwestern Athletic Conference matchup at Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium.

First pitch is set for 6 p.m. with clear skies and a temperature of 83 degrees.

Florida A&M (25-22, 15-10 SWAC) defeated Texas Southern 4-2 on Thursday, improving to 2-0 against the Tigers this season. Right-hander Caleb Granger earned the win, throwing seven innings and allowing two earned runs on nine hits while striking out five. Shortstop Matthew Perez went 3 for 4 with an RBI to lead the Rattlers’ offense.

Texas Southern (18-19, 11-11) has dropped four of its last five games. In Thursday’s loss, right-hander Joshua Prieto tossed five innings, giving up two earned runs with no hits and three strikeouts. Left fielder Christopher Chavez went 3 for 5 with an RBI.

Both teams are expected to turn to their bullpens Friday after their aces worked deep into Thursday’s game. Prieto has been effective in his last two starts: He threw a five-inning shutout with three strikeouts in a 13-0 win at Prairie View on April 24, then allowed two earned runs in five innings in a 2-4 loss to Alabama State on May 2. However, he was charged with four earned runs in 5 1/3 innings at Prairie View on April 24 — that start was a loss despite the shutout win earlier? Actually, the data shows Prieto’s line on 4/24 was a win, 13-0, 5ip 0h 0er 3k. He also had a loss on 5/2 vs Alabama State: 5.1ip 6h 4er 4k. So his recent form is mixed.

Granger has been a workhorse for Florida A&M. Over his last four appearances, he has pitched 23 1/3 innings, striking out 26 while posting a 3.09 ERA. He tossed seven innings of two-run ball against Alabama A&M on May 9, then threw a four-inning, one-run outing at Grambling on May 2.

The Rattlers have won three of their last four games, while the Tigers have lost three of their last four.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-4 Florida A&M victory, giving the Rattlers a 65.50 percent probability to win according to its ELO system.

The two teams will meet again Saturday in the series finale.