Preview: Long Beach State at UC Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Interstat) — A surging UC Santa Barbara team hosts struggling Long Beach State on Friday to open a three-game Big West Conference series at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. under clear skies with temperatures around 65 degrees.

The Gauchos (9-2) enter as one of the conference’s hottest teams, having won nine of their last 10 games. They are coming off an 11-1 midweek victory over Loyola Marymount on Tuesday where the pitching staff combined for 16 strikeouts.

Long Beach State (4-8) looks to halt a three-game skid after a 13-10 road loss at San Diego State on Wednesday. Despite the defeat, third baseman Dylan Lina powered the Dirtbags’ offense, going 3 for 5 with two home runs and seven RBIs.

Lina, a key player to watch for the Dirtbags, is batting .333 over his last five games with three homers and 12 RBIs. He will face a tough test against a UCSB pitching staff that has posted a 2.89 team ERA.

The Gauchos counter with their own standout in pitcher Josh Jannicelli. The right-hander has been dominant in relief, tossing 7 2/3 scoreless innings over his last two appearances while allowing just two hits and striking out 14 batters. His role for the series opener was undecided.

UCSB has found consistent offense, scoring seven or more runs in seven games this season. First baseman Nick Husovsky is riding a six-game hitting streak and drove in two runs in Tuesday’s win.

For Long Beach State, finding consistent pitching behind Lina’s bat is crucial. The Dirtbags have allowed 10 or more runs in five of their eight losses this season.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is UC Santa Barbara 7, Long Beach State 4.

The series continues Saturday and Sunday at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.