LAFAYETTE, La. (Interstat) — Georgia State and Louisiana-Lafayette open a Sun Belt doubleheader Saturday at M.L. Tigue Moore Field, with the Ragin’ Cajuns looking to build on a 26-18 record against a Panthers team fighting to reach .500.

Georgia State (22-22) arrives after a dramatic 8-7, 10-inning win over Old Dominion on Sunday. The Panthers will turn to right-hander Will Bartkoski, who earned the victory in that game with six innings of five-hit, one-run ball and five strikeouts. Bartkoski has been effective in his past two starts, also throwing five scoreless, hitless innings against Coastal Carolina on April 19. Overall this season, he has shown an ability to work deep into games and limit damage, a critical factor against a Louisiana-Lafayette lineup that has averaged over seven runs per game in its past five contests.

Louisiana-Lafayette (26-18) beat Nicholls State 7-1 on Wednesday, getting four innings of two-hit, scoreless relief from left-hander Hayden Pearson, who struck out three. Pearson has been a reliable multi-inning option out of the bullpen, posting a 2.45 ERA over his last four appearances covering 8.2 innings. He has not allowed an earned run in three of those outings, though he did absorb a loss at Arkansas State on April 26 after allowing one run in three innings. The Cajuns have won seven of their last 10 overall.

The weather forecast calls for clear skies and temperatures in the low 80s at first pitch, with winds blowing in from left field at 10-12 mph.

Georgia State’s offense has been led recently by catcher Cole Griffith, who homered and drove in four runs in Sunday’s win over Old Dominion. Third baseman Wills Maginnis added a homer and two RBIs in that game. The Panthers have struggled on the road, going 5-9 away from Atlanta this season.

Louisiana-Lafayette’s Colt Brown drove in three runs against Nicholls State, while right-hander Ty Roman struck out four over four innings in that game as part of a combined three-hitter.

The Sun Belt series continues with a single game Sunday. Georgia State then visits Kennesaw State on Tuesday, while Louisiana-Lafayette hosts New Orleans on Tuesday before traveling to Appalachian State next weekend.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-6 victory for Louisiana-Lafayette.