PROVO, Utah (Interstat) — A hot-hitting Arizona State squad visits Larry H. Miller Field on Thursday to open a three-game Big 12 series against BYU.

The Sun Devils (26-12) enter with the more formidable record, but the Cougars (19-16) are riding momentum from a shutout victory in their last outing.

Arizona State is coming off an 11-inning, 5-3 loss to Arizona on Monday, despite a two-hit, two-RBI performance from designated hitter Nu’u Contrades. Contrades has been a force, homering in three of his last six games and driving in eight runs over that stretch. He will be a central figure in an Arizona State lineup that has averaged 7.2 runs over its last 10 contests.

BYU counters with recent strong pitching, having blanked Lamar 4-0 on Monday. Reliever Austin Park was dominant in that win, throwing 4 1/3 hitless innings with five strikeouts. Over his last three appearances, spanning 7 2/3 innings, Park has allowed just one hit while striking out 13.

The Sun Devils have shown potency on the road this season, including a series win at Arizona earlier this month. BYU will look to build on its recent road success after taking two of three at Houston last weekend.

Thursday’s forecast in Provo calls for cloudy skies and a first-pitch temperature near 62 degrees.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, this series opener projects as a high-scoring affair, with a predicted final of Arizona State 8, BYU 7.

The series continues Friday and Saturday at Miller Field.