MARION, Ill. (Interstat) — The Ohio Valley Conference Baseball Championship continues Friday evening as seed Arkansas-Little Rock (32-26) faces seed Southern Indiana (29-28) at Marion’s stadium. First pitch is scheduled for [time], with the forecast calling for [temperature] degrees.

The Trojans hold a 3-1 season series edge over the Screaming Eagles, including a 7-3 victory Wednesday. That game marked the teams’ most recent meeting, part of a stretch in which UALR has won three of the past four head-to-head contests. Southern Indiana’s lone win came March 27, an 8-5 decision.

Arkansas-Little Rock enters on a two-game winning streak, most recently defeating Lindenwood 4-3 on Thursday. Right-hander Brigden Parker worked seven innings, allowing three earned runs with eight strikeouts, while reliever Tag Andrews earned the win with two scoreless frames. First baseman Angel Cano drove in two runs.

Southern Indiana snapped a three-game skid Thursday, beating Southeast Missouri State 5-3. Third baseman Parker Martin led the way, going 3-for-5 with four RBIs. The Screaming Eagles also received strong relief outings from Nathan Anderson (3.2 innings, no runs) and Andres Gonzalez (3 innings, no runs).

Players to watch

Martin has been the catalyst for Southern Indiana’s offense. Over his past 10 games, he has recorded at least one hit in eight contests, including a home run and two RBIs against these same Trojans on May 20. In that 7-3 loss, Martin went 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs. For the season, he leads the Screaming Eagles in batting average and RBIs.

Arkansas-Little Rock’s Gage Haley, a right-handed pitcher, has been effective in short stints. In his most recent appearance Thursday against SIU Edwardsville, he tossed four innings of one-hit ball, allowing one earned run with four strikeouts. Over his last three outings, Haley has surrendered three earned runs in 5.2 innings with nine strikeouts.

Projection

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-4 victory for Southern Indiana, suggesting a tight contest. The Screaming Eagles will need Martin to continue his hot hitting, while the Trojans will rely on their pitching depth, led by Haley and Parker, to stymie Southern Indiana’s lineup.

The winner advances in the double-elimination tournament; the loser falls into an elimination game.