COLUMBIA, S.C. (Interstat) — The Hickory Crawdads and Columbia Fireflies continue their six-game series Thursday at 7:05 p.m. at Spirit Communications Park.

Hickory (17-15) will send right-hander Aidan Deakins (2-0) to the mound. The Fireflies (16-18) have not named a starter.

The Crawdads have dropped the first two games of the series, falling 8-1 on Wednesday and 10-6 on Tuesday. Columbia has won three of the five head-to-head meetings this season.

Thursday’s forecast calls for 74 degrees and cloudy conditions.

Hickory pitcher Moises Morales is a player to watch. He started Tuesday’s loss, allowing three earned runs on five hits over six innings with six strikeouts. In his three previous starts, Morales posted a 1.69 ERA across 16 innings, striking out 20 batters and allowing two earned runs.

Columbia second baseman Stone Russell has been productive against the Crawdads. In Tuesday’s win, he went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. Russell is batting .350 (7-for-20) in his past five games.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 4-1 Columbia victory.

The series continues Friday through Sunday at Spirit Communications Park. Hickory returns home May 19 for a six-game set against Charleston. Columbia travels to Augusta on May 19 for six games.