HICKORY, N.C. (Interstat) — The Charleston RiverDogs will try to build on a series-evening win Thursday night when they face the Hickory Crawdads at L.P. Frans Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. under clear skies with a game-time temperature of 87 degrees.

Right-hander Aidan Deakins (3-0) will take the mound for Charleston (23-18). Deakins, who has not lost a decision this season, will face a Hickory lineup that erupted for 11 runs in a series-opening win Tuesday but managed only four runs in a 5-4 loss Wednesday.

The Crawdads (21-18) will counter with a pitcher to be announced.

Wednesday’s victory snapped a two-game skid for the RiverDogs. Reliever Jacob Kuhn earned the win with 3.0 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out four. Outfielder Brailer Guerrero provided the offense, going 1-for-3 with a three-run homer. Kuhn, a key arm out of the bullpen, has posted a 0.00 ERA over his past two appearances covering 5.0 innings with six strikeouts.

For Hickory, reliever Owen Proksch turned in another strong performance Wednesday despite the loss. He tossed 2.0 scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out four. Proksch has yielded no earned runs in his past four outings, spanning 8.0 innings with 12 strikeouts.

The teams have split the first two games of the six-game series. Hickory won 11-5 on Tuesday, powered by center fielder Hector Osorio’s two RBIs and 2.0 scoreless innings from reliever Luimy Munoz.

A projected simulation from Interstat favors Hickory 4-3.

After Thursday’s contest, the teams play three more games in Hickory — Friday through Sunday — before the RiverDogs travel to Columbia for a five-game series beginning Tuesday. The Crawdads head to Salem for a five-game set starting the same day.