AP Sports Preview: UC San Diego at Cal State Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Interstat) — UC San Diego visits Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday, May 9, for a Big West Conference baseball game at Hardt Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. with clear skies and a temperature of 88 degrees.

The Tritons (20-24) carry a 20-24 overall record into the series opener. They defeated San Diego State 8-4 on Tuesday behind first baseman Gabe Camacho, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. Camacho has been streaky over his past 10 games: he homered in wins over UC Irvine on April 25 and 26, but went hitless in three consecutive losses at Long Beach State from May 1-3. On the mound, Nathan Ries and Connor Etnire each threw three scoreless innings in relief against the Aztecs.

The Roadrunners (20-27) have dropped 11 of their last 14 after a 6-2 win over Fresno State on Tuesday. Pitcher CJ Brown earned the victory with five innings of one-run ball, scattering five hits and striking out one. He also threw three scoreless innings against Pacific on April 28. Offensively, Cal State Bakersfield has struggled in conference play, allowing 19 and 18 runs in recent losses to UC Santa Barbara.

Friday’s series opener went to UC San Diego with a 0-0 final. The Tritons hold a 68% win probability per Interstat’s ELO system, which projects a 5-4 final.

UC San Diego continues its road trip Sunday before hosting Cal State Fullerton for a three-game series starting May 14. Cal State Bakersfield hosts Pacific on Tuesday before traveling to UC Irvine for three games beginning May 14.