LAWRENCE, Kan. (Interstat) — Northeastern (38-21) and Missouri State (34-20) meet Saturday in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, a playoff game at Hoglund Ballpark. The winner advances in the double-elimination bracket.

The Huskies dropped their tournament opener Friday, falling 3-6 at Kansas. Missouri State also lost its first game, 5-9 at Arkansas.

Right-handed pitcher David McSweeney is a key player for Northeastern. In Friday’s loss, McSweeney threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out two. Over his past five outings, he has allowed only one earned run in 13 2/3 innings, with 11 strikeouts and no hits in four of those appearances. He last allowed a hit on May 21 against Hofstra.

For Missouri State, right-hander Max Knight is a player to watch. Knight started Friday at Arkansas, tossing four shutout innings with seven strikeouts before leaving with a one-run deficit. In his last three pitching appearances, he has 16 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings while permitting just one earned run. Knight also has offensive capability, hitting a home run with two RBIs on May 22 against Dallas Baptist.

Northeastern’s offense has been inconsistent recently. The Huskies scored 10 runs in a win at Towson on May 16, but managed only three runs in their loss to Kansas. Catcher Will Fosberg homered and drove in a run Friday.

Missouri State’s lineup features second baseman Bryce Cermenelli, who went 3-for-3 with a home run and an RBI against Arkansas. The Bears have won nine of their last 13 games.

Both teams will rely on their bullpens after using multiple pitchers in the first round. Northeastern’s Luc Rising threw 3 2/3 innings Friday, allowing four earned runs. The Huskies have a 6-4 record in their last 10 games.

Missouri State enters with a 7-3 mark in its last 10. The Bears defeated New Mexico State twice and Kennesaw State three times earlier this month.

First pitch is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. The game can be heard on local radio and streamed on the NCAA’s digital platform.