DURHAM, N.C. (Interstat) — Two of the Atlantic region’s hottest teams will meet Tuesday evening when the Liberty Flames visit the Duke Blue Devils in a nonconference baseball matchup at Jack Coombs Field.

The Flames (25-10), winners of eight of their last 10, bring a potent combination of momentum and pitching into the contest. Liberty is coming off a series win over Jacksonville State, capped by a 4-2 victory Sunday where starter Bradley Zayac delivered six strong innings, allowing one earned run on four hits with five strikeouts.

Zayac, a key player to watch for Liberty, has been dominant in recent weeks. Over his last four starts, he has allowed just four earned runs across 23 2/3 innings, including two outings where he surrendered no hits. His performance has been central to Liberty’s success.

Duke (22-16) counters with its own recent quality pitching, having secured a 3-2 road win at North Carolina State on Sunday. Blue Devils starter Andy Leon was brilliant in that victory, tossing six no-hit innings with one earned run and two strikeouts. Leon’s recent outings have been a mix of excellence and struggle, highlighting his importance to Duke’s fortunes.

The teams’ season trajectories have been contrasting. Liberty has consistently compiled wins, while Duke has navigated a more difficult path, though it enters having won three of its last four.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, this contest projects as a high-scoring affair, with Liberty favored 8-6.

The game is a standalone midweek test before both teams dive into critical weekend conference series. Liberty will travel to face Dallas Baptist, while Duke heads to Boston College.

This will be the first of a home-and-home set between the schools this season; they are scheduled to meet again in Lynchburg, Virginia, on April 21.