Preview: Grand Canyon Antelopes at Utah Utes

SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — The Grand Canyon Antelopes and Utah Utes open a four-game series Friday at Smith’s Ballpark, with both teams looking to build momentum from midweek victories.

Grand Canyon (6-7) arrives after a 7-5 win at Arizona on Tuesday, powered by a stellar combined pitching effort. The Antelopes have won three of their last four.

Utah (5-5) comes off a 13-4 road rout of Loyola Marymount on Monday, where its offense broke out for 15 hits.

A key matchup will feature Grand Canyon right-hander Nicholas Robb, who is expected to start. Robb was dominant against Arizona, tossing five hitless innings with seven strikeouts. His season, however, has been volatile, following a rough outing Feb. 22 where he allowed nine earned runs to Oklahoma State.

For Utah, reliever Dillon Fine has emerged as a reliable arm. He recorded 10 outs without allowing a hit against Loyola Marymount, striking out four. Fine has been scored upon only once in three appearances this season.

Grand Canyon first baseman Cannon Peery, who drove in two runs against Arizona, will be central to the Antelopes’ lineup. Utah will look for production from third baseman Daniel Arambula, who had three hits and three RBIs in the Loyola Marymount win.

Projections offer a split verdict. Interstat’s game simulator predicts a 6-5 victory for Utah, while the same service’s ELO rating system gives Grand Canyon a slight edge with a 54% probability to win.

The series continues with games Saturday, Sunday and Monday at Utah’s home ballpark.