Preview: Florida Gators at Miami Hurricanes

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (Interstat) — A clash of unbeaten streaks and in-state rivals highlights the college baseball weekend as the Florida Gators visit the top-ranked Miami Hurricanes on Friday at Mark Light Field at Alex Rodriguez Park.

First pitch is set for 7 p.m. under partly cloudy skies with a temperature near 77 degrees.

The Hurricanes (10-0), one of the nation’s last remaining undefeated teams, host the surging Gators (9-1), who have won nine straight since a season-opening extra-inning loss. Miami’s perfect start is powered by an offense averaging 14.6 runs per game, including a 30-run outburst against Lafayette last Sunday.

Florida counters with its own potent lineup, having scored 10 or more runs in six of its last seven victories. The Gators are coming off a midweek series sweep of Florida International, outscoring the Panthers 28-15.

A key player to watch for Florida is designated hitter Brendan Lawson. He is riding a hot streak, going 9-for-19 (.474) with 14 RBIs over his last six games. He launched a grand slam and drove in six runs in Wednesday’s 11-4 win over FIU.

Miami will look to right-hander Sebastian Santos-Olson to set the tone. The reliever has been dominant in two appearances this season, tossing a combined nine innings while allowing just one earned run and striking out 10. He threw 4 1/3 hitless innings of relief in Wednesday’s 11-7 win at Florida Atlantic.

The series marks a significant early-season test for both clubs. According to Interstat’s game simulator, Friday’s contest projects as a high-scoring affair, with a predicted final of Florida 8, Miami 7.

The weekend set continues Saturday at 7 p.m. and concludes Sunday at 1 p.m.