SALEM, Va. (Interstat) — The Hickory Crawdads will seek their third straight win in a six-game series against the Salem RidgeYaks on Friday at Carilion Clinic Field.

First pitch is set for 7 p.m. The forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and 80 degrees.

Hickory (26-19) has taken the first two games of the series by identical 4-2 scores, winning Wednesday and Thursday. The Crawdads have won four of their last five games overall.

Right-hander Aidan Deakins (4-0) is scheduled to start for Hickory. He has yet to lose a decision this season.

Salem (21-26) will counter with right-hander Jose Bello (0-1), who is still seeking his first win.

A player to watch for Hickory is right-handed pitcher Moises Morales. In his most recent outing Wednesday against Salem, Morales threw five innings, allowing two hits, one earned run and striking out two in a winning effort. Over his last four starts, he has a 3-1 record with 19 strikeouts in 22 innings.

For Salem, left-hander Luis Cohen is a player to keep an eye on. In Wednesday’s loss to Hickory, Cohen tossed four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out four without walking a batter.

The teams have met nine times this season, with Hickory holding a 6-3 advantage in the head-to-head series. The Crawdads have won four of the five meetings in Salem.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 6-3 victory for Hickory.

Following Friday’s game, the teams will play again Saturday and Sunday at Carilion Clinic Field. After that, Hickory returns home to face Kannapolis in a six-game series beginning Tuesday, while Salem travels to Wilson for a six-game set starting the same night.