KENNESAW, Ga. (Interstat) — Jacksonville State faces Middle Tennessee on Thursday afternoon in a Conference USA tournament game at Fred Stillwell Stadium, with the Gamecocks aiming to extend a dominant season against a Blue Raiders squad fighting to keep its postseason alive.

Jacksonville State (42-13) enters as the tournament’s top seed after a regular season that included a three-game sweep of Middle Tennessee (26-30) from April 2-4. The Gamecocks won those contests 6-5, 7-6 and 3-1, outscoring the Blue Raiders 16-12. The most recent head-to-head meeting saw Jacksonville State take the finale 3-1 on April 4.

The Gamecocks are coming off a 13-4 win at Dallas Baptist on May 16, a game in which designated hitter Sam Richardson went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Richardson has been productive in recent weeks, also homering and driving in three runs in a May 3 win at Missouri State. Over his last five games with at-bats, he has three extra-base hits and six RBIs.

Middle Tennessee has struggled, losing 8-2 at Western Kentucky on May 20. However, pitcher Bryant Beranek delivered a bright spot in that outing, tossing four innings of scoreless relief, allowing no hits while striking out two. Beranek has been used primarily out of the bullpen this season, logging multiple outings of at least one inning without allowing an earned run. His consistency could be key against a Jacksonville State lineup averaging nearly seven runs per game.

The Blue Raiders have lost four of their last five games, including a series defeat at Florida International and a midweek loss to Memphis. Their offense has been inconsistent, but designated hitter Layne Akers went 4-for-4 with an RBI in the loss to Western Kentucky.

Thursday’s forecast calls for 85-degree temperatures with cloud cover at first pitch.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-4 victory for Jacksonville State, reflecting the Gamecocks’ superior record and recent head-to-head success.

Jacksonville State will face Western Kentucky on Friday in Kennesaw. Middle Tennessee must win to avoid elimination from the double-elimination tournament.