UCF at Florida Atlantic Preview

BOCA RATON, Fla. (Interstat) — UCF visits Florida Atlantic on Tuesday night at FAU Baseball Stadium, with both teams looking to rebound from weekend series losses. First pitch is set for 6 p.m., with a forecast of 77 degrees and rain.

The Knights (27-17) dropped two of three at home to Arizona State, including a 6-3 loss Sunday. Florida Atlantic (24-23) lost its series at South Florida, falling 11-6 in the finale.

UCF right-hander Anthony Lariz is a pitcher to watch. Over his last nine appearances, Lariz has a 2.70 ERA with nine strikeouts in 10 innings. He threw three scoreless innings with four strikeouts Sunday against Arizona State, allowing one hit. Lariz has held opponents scoreless in six of his last seven outings.

Florida Atlantic counters with right-hander Brayden Gilson. In his last start Sunday at South Florida, Gilson tossed four innings, allowing one earned run on no hits with one strikeout. Over his past four appearances, he has a 1.59 ERA with four strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings.

UCF is coming off a 27-17 regular season and has won four of its last six. The Knights swept a three-game series at Utah on April 24-25 and have won seven of their last 10.

Florida Atlantic has lost five of its last seven but took two of three at South Florida before Sunday’s loss. The Owls swept a two-game series at Florida Gulf Coast on April 28 and have won three of their last five at home.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 7-6 UCF victory.

UCF’s Anthony Lariz has been effective in relief, with a 1.80 ERA over his last five appearances covering 7 2/3 innings. He has not allowed an earned run in four of those outings.

Florida Atlantic’s Brayden Gilson has been steady, with a 0.93 ERA over his last six appearances spanning 12 innings. He has allowed just one earned run in that stretch.

UCF’s lineup has averaged 5.8 runs per game this season, while Florida Atlantic has averaged 5.1.

The Knights continue their road trip Friday at Baylor for a three-game series. Florida Atlantic travels to Wichita State for a three-game set starting Friday.

Tuesday’s game marks the final non-conference matchup for both teams before they enter league play. UCF leads the all-time series 12-8.