SALEM, Va. (Interstat) — The Hickory Crawdads and Salem RidgeYaks meet again Thursday night at Carilion Clinic Field for the fourth consecutive matchup in a six-game series, with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. under an 80-degree forecast calling for rain.

Hickory (26-19) took the series opener Wednesday with a 4-2 victory, moving to 2-1 in the set after Salem won Tuesday’s game 3-1. The Crawdads have won five of the eight season meetings between the clubs, including a 5-3 series win at Hickory in mid-April.

The pitching situation for Hickory is unclear. The club lists two probable starters: right-hander Jesus Lafalaise (0-4, 5.12 ERA) and left-hander Jason Gilman (0-0, 2.16 ERA). Lafalaise has struggled this season, allowing at least four earned runs in three of his six starts. Gilman, primarily a reliever, has made one spot start this year and tossed five scoreless innings in a no-decision.

Salem (21-26) will counter with right-hander Luis Cohen (1-3, 3.56 ERA). The 22-year-old was solid Wednesday in a losing effort, allowing two hits and no earned runs over four innings with four strikeouts. He has a 2.25 ERA over his last two appearances.

Players to watch

Hickory’s Moises Morales has been sharp in his last two outings. The right-hander earned the win Wednesday with five innings of two-hit, one-run ball, striking out two. In his previous start on May 19 against Charleston, he tossed six innings, allowing eight hits and five earned runs while striking out two. Over his last four appearances, Morales has a 4.09 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 22 innings.

For Salem, Cohen will be the center of attention. He has not allowed an earned run in seven of his nine appearances this season.

Recent history

The teams have played a tight series. Hickory took three of four from Salem at home in April, with the Crawdads scoring 14 runs in both the first and fourth games of that set. Salem’s lone win in that series was a 4-2 decision on April 19.

Looking ahead

The series continues Friday and Saturday with 6:30 p.m. starts, and concludes Sunday with a 2 p.m. game. Hickory returns home Tuesday for a six-game set against Kannapolis. Salem travels to Wilson on Tuesday for a six-game road trip.

Projected score: Hickory 7, Salem 3 (Interstat simulator).