Preview: UC Irvine Hosts Cal State Bakersfield in Big West Series Finale

IRVINE, Calif. (Interstat) — UC Irvine looks to build on a successful homestand Friday when it concludes a three-game Big West series against Cal State Bakersfield at Anteater Ballpark. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. under clear skies and 70-degree temperatures.

The Anteaters (23-24 overall) and Roadrunners (21-29) met Thursday in the series opener, and both teams are seeking momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season. UC Irvine snapped a three-game losing streak Sunday with a 15-3 rout at UC Riverside, while Cal State Bakersfield dropped its series finale against UC San Diego 15-2 on Sunday.

Players to Watch

Cal State Bakersfield will turn to right-hander CJ Brown, who has been effective in relief recently. Brown tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings Sunday against UC San Diego, allowing two hits, and earned a win May 5 against Fresno State with five innings of one-run ball. On April 28 at Pacific, he surrendered one unearned run over three innings.

UC Irvine counters with reliever Hunter Manning, who worked 2 2/3 innings Sunday at UC Riverside, giving up one earned run on no hits with two strikeouts. Manning struggled May 3 against Cal Poly (2 2/3 IP, 4 ER) but bounced back April 28 against Southern California with two shutout innings and five strikeouts.

Recent History

The teams played Thursday in the first meeting of the series. Cal State Bakersfield has lost three of its last four, while UC Irvine has won three of four after dropping its previous three. The Anteaters’ offense has been productive, scoring 15 runs in each of their last two wins over UC Riverside.

Projection

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-5 UC Irvine victory, and its ELO system gives the Anteaters an 84.9% probability to win.

Up Next

The series concludes Saturday with the same matchup at Anteater Ballpark. Both teams are jockeying for position in the Big West standings, with UC Irvine seeking to climb above .500 and Cal State Bakersfield aiming to snap its recent skid.