EUGENE, Ore. (Interstat) — Southern California and Oregon will meet Saturday in the third game of a Big Ten series, with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m. at PK Park. The Trojans (42-12) lead the Ducks (36-15) by two games in the conference standings after splitting the first two contests.

Oregon took Friday’s game 4-2, while Southern California won Thursday’s opener 2-1 in 11 innings. Right-hander Mason Edwards was the difference for the Trojans on Thursday, tossing six shutout innings with 12 strikeouts while allowing no hits. The junior has been dominant over his past four starts, all victories, compiling a 0.45 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 24 innings. Edwards also went six scoreless innings against Nevada on May 7 and struck out 13 in seven innings against Rutgers on May 1.

Oregon will counter with right-hander Cal Scolari, who took the loss Thursday despite a solid outing: five innings, four hits, one earned run, five strikeouts. Scolari has been effective in relief and as a starter this season, posting a 2.70 ERA over his last three appearances, including 2.1 scoreless innings at UCLA on May 9.

The Ducks’ offense will look to rebound after being held to one run in the series opener. Oregon’s batting order has been inconsistent recently, scoring six runs at UCLA on May 9 but only one run in Thursday’s loss and four in Friday’s win. Southern California’s lineup has been more reliable, averaging 9.3 runs over its last seven games, including a 12-run outburst against Nevada on May 9.

The Trojans have won nine of their last 10 games, with the lone loss coming Friday. Oregon has dropped four of its last six. Southern California’s bullpen has been a strength, with Andrew Johnson and Adam Troy combining for 4.1 scoreless innings in Thursday’s win. For the Ducks, relievers Tanner Bradley and Toby Twist have been dependable, each recording multiple strikeouts in recent outings.

Interstat’s game simulator projects an 8-7 final score in favor of Southern California, but the site’s ELO system gives Oregon a 56.2 percent probability to win. The forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the low 70s.

The series finale will have implications for the Big Ten regular-season title race. Southern California holds a two-game lead over Oregon and a three-game edge over the rest of the conference. A win Saturday would clinch a series victory for the Trojans and strengthen their hold on first place.