EVANSVILLE, Ind. (Interstat) — Murray State travels to Charles H. Braun Stadium on Friday to face Evansville in a Missouri Valley Conference series opener. First pitch is set for 69 degrees and clear skies.

The Racers enter at 28-25 overall, while the Purple Aces are 20-29. The teams met Thursday in the first game of a three-game set, with Evansville winning 10-6.

Murray State is projected to win Friday, according to Interstat’s game simulator, which forecasts a 4-3 final. The ELO system gives the Racers a 61.0 percent probability of victory.

Murray State pitcher Joshua Fleming is a player to watch. He threw 2 1/3 innings in Thursday’s loss, allowing one earned run on zero hits with two strikeouts. In his two prior outings, both losses, Fleming lasted a combined 1.0 inning and surrendered four earned runs.

Evansville first baseman Reagan Reeder had a strong game Thursday, going 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. Over his last 11 games, Reeder is batting .207 (6-for-29) with two home runs and 12 RBIs.

The Racers have lost three of their last four. Their most recent win was a 9-5 victory over North Alabama on Tuesday. Before that, they split a four-game series with Indiana State, taking two of four.

The Purple Aces have won three of their last four. Their most recent win was Thursday’s series-opening victory. Prior to that, Evansville took two of three at Valparaiso, winning 11-0 and 6-5 before falling 6-5.

The series continues Saturday with the same matchup at the same venue.