CHARLESTON, S.C. (Interstat) — The Hickory Crawdads and Charleston RiverDogs renew their series Thursday night at Joseph Riley Ballpark, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The forecast calls for cloudy skies and 80 degrees.

Hickory (31-26) has dropped the first two games of this four-game set, falling 3-2 on Wednesday and 5-4 on Tuesday. The Crawdads will look to avoid a sweep in the series opener of the second half, though they face a stiff challenge against a Charleston team that owns the best record in the South Atlantic League at 34-25.

Probable starters for Hickory have not been finalized, but the club is expected to choose between right-handers Jesus Lafalaise (1-4, 5.40 ERA) and Dominic Fritton (1-3, 4.91). Both have struggled with consistency. Lafalaise lasted only 4⅓ innings in his last start June 3, allowing four earned runs on three hits with six strikeouts in a loss to Kannapolis. Fritton’s most recent outing was May 26, a four-inning, two-run performance against Salem that earned him a no-decision. The RiverDogs have yet to announce a starter, but their bullpen has been sharp in the series, allowing just one run over six innings Wednesday.

Players to watch

Hickory right-hander Moises Morales is coming off a strong relief outing Wednesday, when he threw five innings of four-hit, one-run ball with four strikeouts. Over his past four appearances, Morales (1-1, 3.86) has held opponents to a .222 average. He will be available out of the bullpen if needed.

For Charleston, left-hander Aidan Haugh has been nearly untouchable. He earned the win Wednesday with five innings of six-hit, one-run ball, striking out five. Over his last three starts, Haugh (5-1, 2.50) has a 0.93 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 19 innings. He is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in two outings against Hickory this season.

Recent history

The RiverDogs have won seven of the last eight meetings between the teams dating to May 19, including a three-game sweep at Riley Park in May. Hickory’s only win in that stretch came May 23 by a 1-0 score in a pitching duel.

Looking ahead

Both teams play again Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Riley Park before Charleston hits the road for a six-game trip to Wilson and Augusta. Hickory returns home to face Columbia next Tuesday.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 7-4 Charleston victory.