AP Sports Preview

NORMAN, Okla. (Interstat) — The Southeastern Conference series between Florida and Oklahoma concludes Sunday with a pivotal rubber match at L. Dale Mitchell Baseball Park. First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon with clear skies and a temperature of 73 degrees.

Oklahoma (30-14, 12-9 SEC) enters with momentum from a 4-3 victory Friday, evening the series after Florida (29-17, 10-11) rolled to a 6-2 win Saturday. The Sooners hold a one-game edge in the overall standings and will look to capture their second straight home conference series.

Florida’s Aidan King, the right-handed pitcher, has been dominant in recent outings despite taking a hard-luck loss Friday. In that start, he threw seven innings of one-hit ball, allowing one earned run and striking out 10. Over his last four appearances, King has allowed three earned runs in 28.2 innings with 30 strikeouts. He is expected to take the mound Sunday on normal rest.

Oklahoma counters with left-hander LJ Mercurius, who earned the win in Friday’s game with four innings of relief, allowing one hit and no earned runs with two strikeouts. Mercurius has been inconsistent this season, but his ability to miss bats — 26 strikeouts in 19.1 innings — makes him a weapon. He last started April 17 against Missouri, throwing six innings and striking out nine.

The teams split the first two games of the series. Florida’s offense was powered Saturday by Blake Cyr, who homered and drove in two runs. Oklahoma’s Jaxon Willits delivered a two-run single in Friday’s win.

Interstat’s game simulator projects Oklahoma winning 7-3.

Both teams face demanding schedules ahead. Florida returns home Tuesday to face North Florida before hosting Kentucky for a three-game series. Oklahoma travels to Arkansas for a three-game set beginning Friday, then heads to Oklahoma City for the SEC Tournament pod against Tennessee.

Sunday’s result could have significant implications for postseason positioning in the conference.