BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — Florida A&M visits Southern on Thursday evening at Jerry D. Young Memorial Field in a matchup of two of the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s top teams. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.

The Rattlers (28-22) hold a three-game lead over the Jaguars (25-21) in the overall standings. Florida A&M has won three consecutive games, including an 8-6 victory against Texas Southern on Wednesday. The Rattlers took two of three from Southern in their previous head-to-head series earlier this season, winning 10-6 and 12-7 before dropping a 9-5 decision.

Pitcher Caleb Granger, a right-hander, is expected to start for Florida A&M. Granger enters Thursday’s game with a 5-1 record over his last six starts. He earned the win Wednesday against Texas Southern, throwing six innings with four hits, one earned run and two strikeouts. In his previous three outings, Granger has allowed only three earned runs over 17 innings while striking out 13.

Southern counters with right-hander Bobby Spencer. Spencer has been inconsistent but dominant at times. He threw a complete-game shutout on May 1 against Mississippi Valley State, allowing no hits with eight strikeouts over seven innings. In his most recent start Wednesday, Spencer held Jackson State to two earned runs over seven innings in a 4-3 win. However, he was tagged for seven earned runs in 5⅓ innings on May 14 against Alabama A&M.

The Jaguars have won six of their last seven games and are coming off a 4-3, 10-inning victory over Jackson State. Southern’s bullpen has been steady in recent outings, with relievers Genesis Prosper and Caleb Ellis combining for three scoreless innings in Wednesday’s win.

Thursday’s game marks the first meeting between the teams at Jerry D. Young Memorial Field this season. Florida A&M has won 10 of its last 13 road contests. Southern has won four of its last five home games.

The Rattlers’ offense is led by third baseman Jay Campbell, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs in Wednesday’s win. Southern has relied on timely hitting, scoring at least nine runs in four of its past six home games.

The game is the first of a three-game series between the SWAC rivals.