BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Interstat) — UC San Diego visits Cal State Bakersfield on Friday night in a Big West series opener at Hardt Field, with both teams seeking to gain traction after inconsistent starts.

The Tritons (20-24) enter the three-game set riding an 8-4 win Tuesday over San Diego State, snapping a three-game skid. First baseman Gabe Camacho drove in four runs with a home run in that victory, continuing a power surge that has produced three homers and eight RBIs over his past five starts. Camacho remains prone to cold streaks, however, having gone hitless in four of his previous five games before the SDSU matchup.

Cal State Bakersfield (20-27) counters with right-hander CJ Brown, who is coming off a quality start Tuesday against Fresno State. Brown worked five innings, allowing one earned run on five hits while striking out one in a 6-2 win. The Roadrunners have been streaky themselves, dropping a three-game series to UC Santa Barbara by a combined 41-13 score last weekend before bouncing back Tuesday.

The game is the first of a three-game Big West series. The Tritons then host Cal State Fullerton next week, while the Roadrunners visit UC Irvine.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-4 UC San Diego win.