AP Sports Preview

HICKORY, N.C. (Interstat) — The Myrtle Beach Pelicans and Hickory Crawdads meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. at L.P. Frans Stadium, with the Pelicans seeking a second consecutive road win after taking the series opener 7-5 on Tuesday.

Myrtle Beach (14-14) sends right-hander Aidan Deakins (1-0) to the mound. Hickory (16-12) has not named a starter for the matchup.

The weather forecast calls for 75 degrees and cloudy skies at first pitch.

Players to watch

Myrtle Beach center fielder Josiah Hartshorn enters the game on a hot streak. In Tuesday’s win, Hartshorn went 3-for-5 with three RBIs. Over his last 10 games, however, he has been inconsistent, collecting multiple hits only twice while recording four hitless outings in that span. Hartshorn is batting .200 (7-for-35) over his past nine contests.

Hickory right-hander Frank Martinez appears likely to work out of the bullpen or serve as a bulk reliever. Martinez last pitched Tuesday, allowing two earned runs on four hits with five strikeouts over four innings in the loss. Over his past four appearances spanning 13 innings, Martinez has a 9.00 ERA with 13 strikeouts and has surrendered 19 hits.

Recent history

Tuesday’s game marked the first meeting between the teams this season. Myrtle Beach third baseman Jose Escobar contributed two hits, a home run and two RBIs in the victory. Pelicans pitcher Victor Zarraga earned the win with 3 2/3 innings of one-run ball.

Hickory received a home run and three RBIs from designated hitter Wady Mendez in the loss.

Outlook

The Pelicans have won four of their last six games overall after splitting a six-game home series with Columbia. Hickory has dropped two straight and four of its last five.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 3-2 Myrtle Beach victory, though the ELO system gives Hickory a 52.3 percent probability to win.

The teams continue the six-game series through Sunday, with Thursday’s contest also scheduled at L.P. Frans Stadium before Myrtle Beach begins a six-game home series against Augusta on May 12.