RICHMOND, Ky. (Interstat) — Lipscomb travels to Eastern Kentucky on Friday for a three-game ASUN series opener at Turkey Hughes Field, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. under clear skies and 59-degree temperatures.

The Bisons (19-22) look to bounce back after a 15-5 loss to Tennessee Tech on Tuesday, while the Colonels (10-34) aim to build on momentum from a 16-6 win at Northern Kentucky the same night.

Lipscomb designated hitter Cole Pippenger enters the series as a key offensive threat. In his last outing, Pippenger went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs. Over his previous eight games, he has collected hits in six contests, including a 1-for-1 performance with an RBI in a win over Austin Peay on April 25. Pippenger also homered in a 10-17 loss at Bellarmine on April 3, finishing 1-for-1 with two RBIs.

Eastern Kentucky shortstop Pedro Moreno leads the Colonels’ attack. Moreno was 4-for-6 with a home run and five RBIs in Tuesday’s victory over Northern Kentucky. Despite the Colonels’ struggles — they have lost nine of their last 10 — Moreno has remained productive. He recorded a hit in eight of his last nine games, including a 2-for-5 showing with an RBI at Central Arkansas on April 18.

The teams split a three-game series in Nashville from March 27-29. Eastern Kentucky won the opener 3-2 in 12 innings, Lipscomb took the middle game 9-2 and the Bisons claimed the finale 9-2.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 5-1 victory for Lipscomb.

Lipscomb’s pitching staff will look to contain a Colonels lineup that produced 16 runs on 16 hits against Northern Kentucky. Eastern Kentucky’s Jack Briese tossed three scoreless innings in that win, striking out two without allowing a hit.

The Colonels have lost eight straight home games. Their last victory at Turkey Hughes Field came March 22 against Bellarmine.

Following Friday’s opener, the teams continue the series Saturday and Sunday before Lipscomb returns home to host Middle Tennessee on Tuesday. Eastern Kentucky travels to Western Kentucky on Wednesday.