HICKORY, N.C. (Interstat) — The Hill City Howlers will attempt to salvage the finale of a four-game series Friday night against the Hickory Crawdads at L.P. Frans Stadium.

First pitch is set for 7 p.m. The forecast calls for 84 degrees and cloudy.

Hill City (31-40) has lost three straight in the series, including a 7-4 defeat Wednesday. The Howlers have dropped eight of their last nine games overall. Hickory (39-30) has won four of its last five.

Players to watch

Hill City first baseman Luis De La Cruz is 3-for-7 with a home run and three RBIs in the first two games of this series. In his last four games overall, he is 7-for-15 with two homers and nine RBIs.

Hickory right-hander Moises Morales threw 4 2/3 scoreless, hitless innings with nine strikeouts in a relief appearance against Hill City on Wednesday. He has allowed one earned run over his last 6 2/3 innings.

Series history

The Crawdads have won seven of the last nine meetings between the teams, including the last three in a row. Hickory took two of three from Hill City at home in April.

Game simulator

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-2 victory for the Crawdads.

Up next

The Howlers and Crawdads conclude the series Saturday and Sunday before Hill City returns home for a six-game homestand against Fayetteville starting Tuesday. Hickory travels to Myrtle Beach for a six-game road trip beginning Tuesday.