Pacific at San Francisco

AP Sports Preview

SAN FRANCISCO (Interstat) — The Pacific Tigers and San Francisco Dons close their three-game series Sunday evening at Dante Benedetti Diamond at Max Ulrich Field, with first pitch set under a forecast of 57 degrees and rain.

Pacific (16-23) and San Francisco (19-20) split the first two games of the series. The Dons won Saturday’s matchup 5-3 after the Tigers took Friday’s opener 10-5.

Players to watch

Pacific right-hander Nathen Nino has been inconsistent over his past four outings. In Saturday’s loss, he threw 3.2 scoreless innings with no hits allowed but did not factor in the decision. His previous three appearances were all losses: at UC Davis on April 14 (3.2 IP, 0 H, 3 ER), at Cal State Bakersfield on April 6 (1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 ER) and vs. Gonzaga on March 29 (0.1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER).

San Francisco right-hander Gauge Lockhart enters on a four-start winning streak. On Saturday, he earned the win with 6.0 innings, allowing three hits and one earned run while striking out four. His previous three victories: at Portland on April 18 (6.1 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 4 K), vs. San Diego on April 11 (5.0 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 4 K) and at Loyola Marymount on April 3 (4.1 IP, 0 H, 3 ER, 8 K).

Recent results

Pacific’s offense was led Saturday by first baseman Grant MacArthur, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. Reliever Adan Perez took the loss despite 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing no hits but five earned runs with two strikeouts.

For San Francisco, third baseman Tyler Harries drove in two runs on a 1-for-3 night. Reliever Nick Bacura tossed a scoreless inning with one strikeout.

Outlook

The Interstat game simulator projects a 5-2 Pacific victory.

Pacific’s upcoming schedule includes home series against Cal State Bakersfield on Tuesday, followed by Loyola Marymount on May 1-3.

San Francisco hosts San Jose State on Tuesday before traveling to Pepperdine for a three-game series starting May 1.