MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Interstat) — Western Kentucky visits Middle Tennessee on Friday afternoon at Reese Smith Jr. Field to open a three-game Conference USA series, with both teams seeking a late-season push.

The Hilltoppers (24-21) and Blue Raiders (22-23) enter the weekend separated by two games in the standings. First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon under cloudy skies with temperatures near 64 degrees.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-5 Western Kentucky victory, with its ELO system giving the Hilltoppers a 65.1 percent chance to win.

Western Kentucky arrives having lost two of its last three, including a 9-6 defeat to Kennesaw State on Sunday. First baseman Lane Arroyos was the top hitter in that game, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs. Over his last 10 games, Arroyos has recorded hits in nine of them, including a 4-for-5 performance April 21 against Eastern Kentucky and a 3-for-4 showing April 25 against Kennesaw State.

Middle Tennessee (22-23) dropped a 9-1 decision at Vanderbilt on Tuesday. Pitcher Bryant Beranek threw two scoreless innings in relief, allowing no hits and one earned run with one strikeout. In his last four appearances, Beranek has a 2.08 ERA over 8.2 innings, with seven strikeouts.

The Blue Raiders have lost five of their last seven. They were swept in three games at Sam Houston last weekend, though they won the second game 12-8.

Friday marks the first of three straight meetings between the rivals. The series continues Saturday and Sunday at Reese Smith Jr. Field. Western Kentucky then hosts Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday, while Middle Tennessee travels to Lipscomb on Tuesday.

A victory Friday would give the Hilltoppers a third consecutive win over Middle Tennessee dating to last season. Western Kentucky is 7-5 in its last 12 road games.