HICKORY, N.C. (Interstat) — The Hickory Crawdads host the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers on Thursday at 7 p.m. at L.P. Frans Stadium, with clear skies and a 76-degree forecast setting the stage for the third game of a six-game series.

Hickory (29-21) enters with a three-game lead over the .500 Cannon Ballers (26-26) in the South Atlantic League standings. The Crawdads have won six of eight meetings between the clubs this season, though Kannapolis won the series opener Wednesday 8-1 after Hickory took Tuesday’s game 6-3.

Kannapolis will start right-hander Caedmon Parker (1-3) and right-hander Jesus Lafalaise (1-4), both listed as probable pitchers. The Cannon Ballers have not announced which will start first in what could be a tandem outing.

Players to watch

Kannapolis shortstop Javier Mogollon has been the Cannon Ballers’ most productive hitter in recent games. In 10 games from May 20 through Tuesday, he batted .306 with four home runs and nine RBIs. He went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs in Tuesday’s loss to Hickory, and homered in three of his last four games overall.

For Hickory, reliever Geury Rodriguez has been effective out of the bullpen. In three outings since May 24, he has tossed 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out eight. He earned the win Tuesday against Kannapolis with two shutout innings.

Recent history

The teams have split the first two games of this series. Hickory took the opener Tuesday behind six runs and three RBIs from center fielder Hector Osorio. Kannapolis answered Wednesday with an eight-run outburst. Over the season series, Hickory holds a 6-2 advantage, including a four-game sweep at Kannapolis in April.

Simulator projection

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-4 Hickory victory.

Looking ahead

The series continues through Sunday. Kannapolis returns home June 9 for 10 games, while Hickory travels to Charleston for six games starting June 9.