Preview: Cincinnati Bearcats at Oklahoma State Cowboys

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (Interstat) — The Cincinnati Bearcats and Oklahoma State Cowboys conclude a three-game Big 12 series Sunday afternoon at O’Brate Stadium, with both teams looking to build momentum for the conference stretch run.

First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. EDT under clear skies with temperatures near 53 degrees.

The Cowboys (19-11) have taken the first two games of the series, including a 12-9 victory Friday powered by a pair of home runs and six RBIs from first baseman Colin Brueggemann. Oklahoma State followed with a 4-2 win Saturday.

Brueggemann is the hottest hitter in the Oklahoma State lineup, driving in 10 runs over his last two games. For the season, he is batting .355 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs.

Cincinnati (21-11) will look to shortstop Charlie Niehaus to help avoid the sweep. Niehaus hit a three-run homer in Friday’s loss and is 3 for 7 in the series. He leads the Bearcats with a .328 average, six home runs and 24 RBIs.

The Bearcats’ bullpen, highlighted by Brenden Garula’s scoreless relief outing Friday, will need to contain a potent Cowboys lineup that has scored 16 runs in the series.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Cincinnati 7, Oklahoma State 6.

Following Sunday’s contest, Cincinnati returns home to host Baylor in a three-game series starting April 10. Oklahoma State hosts Oral Roberts on Tuesday before traveling to Kansas State for a conference series next weekend.