LAWRENCE, Kan. (Interstat) — A hot-hitting Utah team looks to continue its offensive surge when it visits Hoglund Ballpark for a Big 12 series opener against Kansas on Friday.

The Utes (16-10) arrive riding a wave of momentum after a 15-9 road win at Utah Valley on Tuesday, which followed a series victory over Kansas State last weekend. Utah’s lineup has averaged 11.4 runs over its last five games.

A key catalyst has been first baseman Cameron Gurney. He went 2 for 5 with a home run and four RBIs in the win over Utah Valley, part of a stretch where he has 12 hits in his last 34 at-bats with three homers and 12 RBIs over nine games.

They face a Kansas squad (19-10) coming off an 11-8 victory at Missouri on Tuesday. The Jayhawks have won seven of their last 10 contests.

Reliever Madden Seidl has been a standout for Kansas. He threw three hitless, scoreless innings with five strikeouts against Missouri. In his last four appearances, he has allowed just three hits and no earned runs over 7 2/3 innings.

The teams met just Thursday, with Utah claiming a 10-9 victory. Friday’s forecast calls for cloudy skies and 60-degree temperatures for first pitch.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a narrow 7-6 win for Kansas, while its ELO rating system gives the Jayhawks a 62.8% probability of victory.

Following Friday’s contest, the series continues Saturday before Utah travels to Utah Tech next Tuesday. Kansas will host the second game Saturday before a road midweek game at Nebraska.