SUNDAY’S GAME PREVIEW

HICKORY, N.C. (Interstat) — The Columbia Fireflies aim to snap a two-game skid when they face the Hickory Crawdads on Sunday afternoon at L.P. Frans Stadium. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. under cloudy skies with a temperature of 83 degrees.

Columbia (34-33) sends right-hander Evan Siary (2-2) to the mound. Hickory (35-30) has not announced a probable starter.

The Crawdads enter on a two-game winning streak after a 1-0 victory Saturday and a 10-0 rout Friday. Hickory has won three of the five games in this series, though Columbia took a 6-4, 10-inning decision Thursday.

Players to watch

Columbia reliever Luis Valdez has been sharp in recent outings. In Friday’s loss, he tossed two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Over his last four appearances, Valdez has allowed one earned run in 6 1/3 innings while striking out nine.

Hickory right-hander Daniel Keaney dominated Columbia on Friday, allowing one hit and striking out six over five scoreless innings. He enters as a key weapon out of the bullpen or potential spot starter.

Projection

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-3 Columbia victory.

Up next

Columbia continues its road trip Tuesday at Kannapolis. Hickory hosts Hill City for a six-game series starting Tuesday.