MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Interstat) — The Hickory Crawdads aim for a third consecutive win against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelican Park.

First pitch is set for 80 degrees and clear skies.

Hickory (43-31) enters with the league’s second-best record, having won seven of its last 10 games. The Crawdads are coming off a 6-3 victory over Myrtle Beach on Tuesday and a 6-0 shutout on Wednesday. Alejandro Chiquillo earned the win Tuesday, tossing five scoreless innings with six strikeouts, allowing no hits.

Chiquillo has been dominant in two starts against the Pelicans this season, posting a 0.00 ERA over 8 innings with 10 strikeouts. He also threw six scoreless innings with four strikeouts in a no-decision at Charleston on June 9, though he allowed five earned runs against Hill City on June 23.

Outfielder Paulino Santana drove in four runs Tuesday, including a home run. Deward Tovar added a two-run homer.

Myrtle Beach (31-43) has lost six of its last eight games. Jhon Rosario pitched three scoreless innings of relief Tuesday, allowing one hit with one strikeout. Rosario has been effective in four of his past five outings, posting a 1.59 ERA over 11 1/3 innings before allowing four earned runs in one inning June 9 against Augusta.

The Pelicans are 1-4 against Hickory this season. Myrtle Beach took two of three games in Hickory on May 5-7, winning 6-2 and 9-7 before dropping the finale 4-2.

Hickory has won its past two series against Hill City and Columbia, going 6-1 in that stretch. Myrtle Beach split its series at Salem RidgeYaks, winning three of six.

Interstat’s simulator projects an 8-4 Hickory victory.

Both teams continue the six-game series with games Friday through Sunday. Hickory then travels to Augusta for five games beginning Tuesday. Myrtle Beach hosts Fredericksburg in a six-game series starting Tuesday.