FAIRBORN, Ohio (Interstat) — The Northern Kentucky Norse and Milwaukee Panthers meet Thursday afternoon in the Horizon League Baseball Championship at Nischwitz Stadium.

The fourth-seeded Norse (24-28) face the fifth-seeded Panthers (22-31) in the tournament’s elimination bracket. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. with temperatures in the low 70s.

Milwaukee has dominated the season series, winning five of six meetings (Interstat) — including a three-game sweep in mid-April. The Panthers outscored the Norse 35-20 in those three games, capped by a 15-9 victory April 18.

Northern Kentucky’s offense is anchored by right fielder Josh Williams, who enters the tournament on a tear. Williams went 5-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs in the Norse’s most recent game, a 10-9 loss at South Carolina Upstate on Saturday. Over his last 10 games, Williams is batting .455 (15-for-33) with three home runs and 11 RBIs.

For Milwaukee, right fielder Charlie Marion leads the Panthers’ attack. Marion went 3-for-6 with a home run and four RBIs in Milwaukee’s 14-8 win over Oakland on Saturday. He has homered in four of his last seven games and driven in 12 runs over that span.

The Panthers have won five of their last seven games. Northern Kentucky has lost four of its past five.

The Norse will need to contain a Milwaukee lineup that has scored at least eight runs in six of the Panthers’ last 10 games. Northern Kentucky’s pitching staff has allowed 10 or more runs in six of its last eight contests.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-5 victory for Milwaukee.

The winner advances in the tournament while the loser is eliminated from the Horizon League championship chase.