SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (Interstat) — Cal Poly hosts Long Beach State in a Big West series opener Thursday at Robin Baggett Stadium, with the Mustangs holding a significant edge in the standings and in the projections.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under clear skies and 64-degree conditions.

Cal Poly (30-21) enters the three-game set riding momentum after a 15-10 win at Fresno State on Tuesday. The Mustangs have won seven of their last 10 games and sit comfortably above .500. They hold a 72 percent probability of victory according to Interstat’s ELO system, which projects a 7-4 final.

Long Beach State (17-32) has struggled throughout the season. The Dirtbags dropped three straight to Oregon State last weekend, including an 8-4 loss Sunday. They have won just twice in their last 10 outings.

Two players will draw particular attention at the plate.

For Long Beach State, center fielder Justin Roulston is a streaky hitter who delivered a standout performance in Sunday’s loss, going 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs. Over his last nine games, Roulston has three home runs and six RBIs but has also gone hitless in four of those contests. He is capable of single-handedly changing the momentum.

For Cal Poly, second baseman Jake Downing has been one of the Mustangs’ most reliable bats. In Tuesday’s win over Fresno State, he went 3 for 5 with three RBIs. Over his last two games, Downing has five hits, a home run and seven RBIs. He also drove in three runs in a win at UC Irvine on May 2.

The Mustangs also received strong contributions in the Fresno State win from right fielder Dylan Kordic, who homered, drove in two runs and went 2 for 6, and from pitcher Luke Kalfsbeek, who threw four innings of scoreless relief with four strikeouts.

Long Beach State’s pitching in Sunday’s loss was led by starter Jason Gerfers, who allowed three earned runs over six innings with six strikeouts, and reliever Jaxon Baker, who struck out three in a scoreless inning.

The teams will continue the series Friday and Saturday, with first pitch at 6 p.m. both days.