FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (Interstat) — The Fredricksburg Nationals look to extend their winning streak against the Hickory Crawdads on Saturday at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. under clear skies, with a game-time temperature of 66 degrees.

Fredricksburg (17-7) enters the contest on a four-game winning streak against the Crawdads, all decided by one run, including three that went into extra innings. The Nationals have outscored Hickory 25-18 in those four meetings, with the most recent a 7-6, 10-inning victory Thursday.

Hickory (15-9) will start right-hander AJ Russell (0-0), who makes his first start of the season. Reliever Leuris Portorreal (0-1) is also listed as a probable pitcher for the Crawdads. Fredricksburg’s probable pitcher had not been announced.

Players to watch

Hickory reliever Kamdyn Perry has been effective in recent outings. In Thursday’s loss, he threw 3.1 innings, allowing one hit with no earned runs and striking out six. Over his last three appearances, Perry has a 1.93 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 9.1 innings.

Fredricksburg’s Grant Manning has been dominant out of the bullpen. He threw three scoreless innings in Thursday’s win, striking out five while allowing one hit. Manning has not allowed an earned run in his last six appearances, spanning 11 innings, with 19 strikeouts and a 0.45 WHIP.

Recent results

The Nationals have won four straight against Hickory: 4-0 on Friday; 7-6 in 10 innings Thursday; 1-0 in 10 innings Wednesday; and 13-12 on Tuesday. Fredricksburg also swept a three-game series at Salem RidgeYaks over the weekend, outscoring the RidgeYaks 32-8.

Hickory has dropped four of its last five overall, including Thursday’s extra-inning loss. The Crawdads are 4-6 in their last 10 games.

Outlook

Fredricksburg’s offense has produced at least seven runs in four of the last six games against Hickory. The Crawdads’ pitching staff has allowed 13 or more runs twice in that span.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-3 Fredricksburg victory.

Both teams will meet again Sunday in the series finale. Hickory returns home Tuesday to open a six-game series against Myrtle Beach. Fredricksburg travels to Hill City on Tuesday for a six-game set.