HATTIESBURG, Miss. (Interstat) — Southern Mississippi looks to shake off a rare loss when it hosts Virginia on Saturday evening at Pete Taylor Park.

The Golden Eagles (44-16) boast one of the nation’s top records but are coming off a 7-4 setback against Arkansas-Little Rock on Friday. Southern Miss, which had won five of its previous six, will rely on right-hander Camden Clark to steady the rotation. Clark (5.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 4 K in Friday’s loss) has been dominant at times this month, including a six-inning, no-hit, nine-strikeout performance at James Madison on May 9.

Virginia (36-22) enters after a 15-7 loss to Jacksonville State. The Cavaliers have dropped five of their last six and are on the road for the second straight weekend. Second baseman Joe Tiroly has been a bright spot, homering in consecutive games. He went 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs against Jacksonville State on Friday, following a 3-for-4, one-homer, three-RBI effort at Georgia Tech on May 21. Tiroly also had a four-hit, three-homer game against California on May 10.

The Cavaliers’ pitching staff has struggled, allowing at least 10 runs in four of their last six. Virginia’s recent series loss at Louisville included a pair of lopsided defeats.

Southern Miss has been strong at home, with wins in 10 of its last 12. The Golden Eagles’ offense is averaging more than eight runs per game this season.

Saturday’s matchup gives both teams a chance to build momentum heading into conference tournament play. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.