CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Interstat) — The East Carolina Pirates (36-22-1) and Tennessee Volunteers (38-20-1) meet Friday in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship at Boshamer Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for the afternoon. The winner advances in the double-elimination regional.

The game pits two teams that finished the regular season with nearly identical records, though both enter on different notes. East Carolina shut out Texas-San Antonio 1-0 on Sunday, May 24, behind a dominant combined pitching performance. Ethan Norby, a right-hander who has emerged as the Pirates’ ace, threw 5 2/3 innings of no-hit ball, striking out eight without allowing a run. He has been electric in his past three appearances, posting a 0.00 ERA over 14 1/3 innings with 22 strikeouts. Over his last five outings, Norby is 3-2 with a 2.80 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 26 innings.

Tennessee, meanwhile, lost its most recent game 8-4 at Arkansas on Wednesday, May 20. The Volunteers’ bullpen was a bright spot, with Bo Rhudy tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings and striking out three. Rhudy, a key reliever, has been inconsistent but has shown flashes of dominance, including a 1 1/3-inning, three-strikeout outing against Oklahoma on May 14. Over his last five appearances, he has a 4.91 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings.

The Volunteers rely on a potent offense that has scored at least nine runs in five of their past eight games. Tennessee’s lineup includes outfielders who have been productive, including Blaine Brown, who drove in two runs in the loss to Arkansas. The Pirates counter with a pitching staff that has held opponents to two runs or fewer in four of their last five games.

East Carolina’s recent results show a team that has been solid in May, winning 8 of 11 games. Tennessee is 6-4 in its last 10, with series wins over Oklahoma and Texas. The two teams have not met this season.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 7-6 Tennessee victory, suggesting a close contest. Weather at game time is expected to be clear.

Players to watch: Norby for East Carolina, who has thrown 18 scoreless innings over his last three starts, and Rhudy for Tennessee, who will likely be called upon in high-leverage situations out of the Volunteers’ bullpen.

First pitch is set for the afternoon at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill. The game can be heard on the participating schools’ radio networks.