HICKORY, N.C. (Interstat) — The Columbia Fireflies and Hickory Crawdads meet in the second game of a six-game series Thursday night at L.P. Frans Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. under cloudy skies and a temperature of 85 degrees.

Columbia (33-31) won the series opener 7-3 on Tuesday, snapping a stretch of four losses in its previous five meetings with Hickory dating to May. The Fireflies have won two of their last three overall and six of their last eight.

Hickory (33-29) has dropped four of its last five.

Right-hander Jesus Lafalaise (1-5, 5.80 ERA) is scheduled to start for Columbia. He has struggled with consistency this season and is seeking his second win.

Right-hander Alejandro Chiquillo is the probable starter for Hickory. He took the loss in Tuesday’s opener, allowing three earned runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings with three strikeouts. Chiquillo has a 2-3 record overall and has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four starts.

Players to watch

Columbia right-hander Jose Gutierrez has dominated in his last four outings, all wins. He pitched seven innings in Tuesday’s series opener, allowing three earned runs on five hits with four strikeouts. On June 10 against Delmarva, he scattered five hits and one earned run over six innings with five strikeouts. Gutierrez has posted a 1.96 ERA over that stretch and figures to be available in relief.

Chiquillo bounced back from a tough May 26 outing with a strong no-decision June 9 at Charleston (2 hits, 0 earned runs, 4 strikeouts over 6 innings). He has 16 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings across his last four appearances.

Recent history

The teams split a six-game series at Columbia earlier this season, with the Fireflies winning four of the final five meetings before Hickory took three of four at home in April. Tuesday’s win was Columbia’s first at L.P. Frans Stadium this season.

Columbia outfielder Roni Cabrera hit a home run and drove in two runs in Tuesday’s victory. Hickory first baseman Marcos Torres and left fielder Paulino Santana each homered in the loss.

Projection

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

The series continues Friday, Saturday and Sunday, all at L.P. Frans Stadium. Columbia travels to Kannapolis for six games next week, while Hickory hosts Hill City for a six-game set.