GREENVILLE, S.C. (Interstat) — The sixth-seeded Virginia Military Institute Keydets and the third-seeded Citadel Bulldogs meet Wednesday evening in the opening round of the Southern Conference Baseball Championship at Fluor Field.

VMI (28-26) enters the single-elimination tournament having lost five straight games, including a three-game sweep at the hands of Citadel last week in Lexington, Virginia. Citadel (30-24) carries a four-game winning streak into the matchup after taking all three games of that series by a combined score of 28-13.

The Keydets will try to reverse recent fortunes against a Bulldogs team that has outscored them 15-8 over the last three meetings. Citadel took the series opener 9-2 on May 14, won 7-4 in 10 innings on May 15, and closed with a 12-7 victory on May 16.

VMI catcher Cole Raile has been productive at the plate despite the team’s recent slide. In the May 16 loss, he went 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs. Over his last 10 games, Raile has hits in eight contests and has driven in 15 runs. He also had a 4-for-5 performance with a home run and five RBIs in a 15-5 win over Norfolk State on May 12.

For Citadel, shortstop Lane Tobin has been a catalyst. In the May 16 win at VMI, he went 2 for 4 with two home runs and four RBIs. Over the three-game series against the Keydets, Tobin hit .333 with two homers and four RBIs. He has been consistent throughout the season, posting hits in six of his last nine games.

The Bulldogs’ pitching staff has been effective against VMI’s lineup. In the May 14 win, Citadel held the Keydets to two runs on seven hits. Trip Brown earned the win in that game, allowing three runs over four innings.

VMI’s bullpen has struggled of late. The Keydets’ relievers allowed seven runs in the final three innings of the May 16 loss.

Citadel left-hander Bryce Coulter has been sharp in relief, allowing no runs on one hit over two innings in the May 16 victory. He has not allowed a run in his last four appearances.

The Keydets haven’t won a game since May 12, when they defeated Norfolk State 15-5. Since then, VMI has lost five straight, including a three-game sweep at Mercer from May 8-10 and the three-game sweep to Citadel.

Citadel enters the tournament after winning eight of its last 10 games. The Bulldogs swept Presbyterian in a three-game series from May 1-3, outscoring the Blue Hose 12-3.

Wednesday’s game marks the fourth meeting between the two teams in eight days. The winner advances in the double-elimination tournament. The loser is eliminated from championship contention.