AP Sports Preview

WACO, Texas (Interstat) — UCF visits Baylor on Saturday for the second game of a Big 12 series at Baylor Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon with a forecast of 71 degrees and cloudy skies.

The Knights enter with a 27-18 record overall. Baylor carries a 25-23 mark.

UCF won the series opener Friday, 1-0.

UCF (27-18)

The Knights have lost three of their last four games, including a 6-5 defeat at Florida Atlantic on Tuesday. Right-hander Wyatt Dion worked 2⅓ scoreless innings of relief in that game, allowing no hits.

Dion is a key arm out of the bullpen for UCF. He will be available Saturday after throwing only 26 pitches Tuesday.

The Knights have been strong on the road this season, including a sweep at Utah last week. They are looking to build momentum ahead of a Sunday series finale followed by a midweek home game against Bethune-Cookman.

Baylor (25-23)

The Bears have dropped four straight games overall, all by two runs or fewer. Their most recent loss came Tuesday at Texas State, 9-6.

Shortstop Travis Sanders has been one of the few consistent hitters for Baylor. He went 2 for 5 with a home run and an RBI against Texas State. Over his past 10 games, Sanders is batting .350 with two homers and eight RBIs.

Baylor’s offense has struggled to produce timely hits during the losing streak. The Bears are averaging 3.8 runs per game over their last five contests.

The Bears are trying to climb back to .500 and improve their positioning for a potential postseason bid. They play at Utah next week following the UCF series.

Series Notes

Saturday’s game marks the second of a three-game set. The teams play again Sunday.

UCF’s next 10 games include a home series against Kansas State and a midweek game against Bethune-Cookman.

Baylor’s next 10 games include a midweek series at Utah beginning Thursday.

Projection

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-3 win for UCF.