CLEARWATER, S.C. (Interstat) — The Augusta Greenjackets host the Hickory Crawdads on Friday at 7:05 p.m. at SRP Park in a crucial series finale between the top two teams in the Carolina League’s South Division.

Augusta (47-36) leads the division by one game over Hickory (46-35) entering the matchup. The Greenjackets took the first two games of the series Tuesday and Wednesday before the Crawdads salvaged a 5-1 victory Thursday. Friday’s forecast calls for 87-degree temperatures and cloudy skies.

Hickory right-hander Moises Morales will take the mound. Morales, 22, has been dominant in three of his past four appearances, tossing 10 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings across outings against Myrtle Beach, Hill City and Columbia from June 21 to July 1. He struggled in his most recent start Wednesday against these same Greenjackets, allowing three earned runs on six hits over 4 1/3 innings in a 8-7 loss. Morales has struck out 19 batters over 15 innings in his last four outings.

Augusta shortstop Alex Lodise has been a consistent offensive threat. Lodise, the Greenjackets’ leadoff hitter, went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs in Wednesday’s win over Hickory. Over his past 10 games, Lodise is batting .286 (8-for-28) with three homers and seven RBIs. He has been particularly productive against Hickory this series, with a .438 on-base percentage in three games.

The Greenjackets have won four of their past six games, while the Crawdads have dropped six of their last 10. Hickory’s Sebastian Baquera went 3-for-5 with a homer and an RBI in Thursday’s win, and Angel Arredondo added three hits and two RBIs.

An Interstat game simulator projects a 7-5 victory for Augusta.

The teams conclude their series Saturday and Sunday before Hickory returns home to face Wilson on July 17, and Augusta travels to Fayetteville on the same date.