Preview: Grand Canyon Antelopes at UC Irvine Anteaters

IRVINE, Calif. (Interstat) — The UC Irvine Anteaters look to continue their strong early-season form when they host the struggling Grand Canyon Antelopes in a nonconference baseball game Wednesday evening at Anteater Ballpark.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature near 76 degrees.

The Anteaters (5-2) enter having won five of their first seven, though they are coming off a 4-2 home loss to California on Sunday. UC Irvine’s bullpen has been a strength, highlighted by reliever Ryder Brooks. Over his last two appearances, Brooks has thrown 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out four.

Grand Canyon (2-5) seeks to halt a four-game skid after being swept in a four-game series by Oklahoma State, culminating in a 13-2 loss Sunday. The Antelopes’ offense has struggled, but third baseman Billy Scaldeferri provides a potent threat. In the Oklahoma State series, Scaldeferri went 6-for-12 with two home runs and five RBIs, including a homer in Sunday’s defeat.

The teams met just Tuesday, with UC Irvine shutting out Grand Canyon. Wednesday’s contest offers the Antelopes a quick chance for redemption.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-3 victory for UC Irvine.

Following this game, UC Irvine travels to Las Vegas for a trio of games against Vanderbilt, Oregon and Arizona from Friday through Sunday. Grand Canyon returns home to open a three-game series against Pacific on Friday.