CINCINNATI (Interstat) — The surging Cincinnati Bearcats are set to host the UC San Diego Tritons in a four-game nonconference series opener Thursday evening at Marge Schott Stadium, with inclement weather expected.

First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. EDT under a forecast of 58-degree temperatures and rain.

Cincinnati (9-4) enters on a strong run, having won five of its last six games, including a 5-2 victory at Western Kentucky on Tuesday. The Bearcats’ offense is powered by first baseman Quinton Coats, who went 4 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs in that win. Coats has four homers and 13 RBIs over his last nine games.

The Bearcats’ pitching staff has been equally formidable, with relievers Connor Blue and Carson Marsh combining for 6 1/3 scoreless innings against the Hilltoppers.

UC San Diego (4-6) looks to rebound after dropping two of three at Louisiana-Lafayette last weekend, including a 4-3 loss on Sunday. A bright spot in that series was reliever Nathan Ries, who threw 2 1/3 hitless innings. Over his last two appearances, spanning 6 2/3 innings, Ries has allowed just three earned runs while striking out eight.

The Tritons have shown resilience in tight games, with three of their four wins coming by two runs or fewer, including an extra-inning victory over San Diego.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-4 victory for Cincinnati.

The series continues with games Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Cincinnati.