GREENVILLE, S.C. (Interstat) — The fifth-seeded Citadel Bulldogs will face the top-seeded Mercer Bears in the opening round of the Southern Conference baseball championship Thursday evening at Fluor Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Mercer (43-13) enters as the clear favorite, carrying a 43-13 overall record after winning 10 of its last 11 games. The Bears swept a three-game series at East Tennessee State over the weekend and have not lost consecutive games since early April.

The Citadel (32-24) arrives after splitting a doubleheader Wednesday, losing 11-0 to Virginia Military Institute before routing the Keydets 21-11. The Bulldogs also defeated Wofford 13-7 on Wednesday.

Mercer took the regular-season series from the Bulldogs, winning two of three in Macon from March 20-22. The Bears routed the Citadel 11-0 in the opener, won 8-4 on Saturday, and then dropped a 3-2 decision to the Bulldogs in the finale.

Players to watch

Citadel two-way player Michael Gibson has been the Bulldogs’ most versatile weapon. Over his last five games, Gibson — who serves as both a designated hitter and a pitcher — has produced 12 RBI and is 11-for-18 at the plate with two home runs. He also delivered 3 1/3 scoreless innings in a win over Virginia Military Institute on May 15, striking out six. In Wednesday’s 13-7 victory over Wofford, Gibson went 3-for-5 with three RBI.

Mercer left fielder Chris Katz has been on a power surge. The Bears’ slugger has homered in four of his last seven games, including a 2-for-5 performance May 16 at East Tennessee State that included a home run and four RBI. Katz drove in 10 runs over the final four games of the regular season.

By the numbers

The Citadel’s offense has been potent ahead of the tournament. The Bulldogs have scored at least seven runs in seven of their last nine games. Mercer counters with a lineup that has produced double-digit run totals in three of its last six outings.

On the mound, Mercer’s pitching staff has posted a 3.87 ERA over the last eight games, limiting opponents to three earned runs or fewer in five of those contests. The Citadel’s bullpen has been inconsistent, but pitchers Andrew Buffkin and Andrew Bowers combined for nine scoreless innings against Wofford on Wednesday.

The winner advances to the second round of the double-elimination tournament. The loser drops into the consolation bracket.