UC Santa Barbara at Cal State Bakersfield Preview

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Interstat) — UC Santa Barbara looks to complete a three-game Big West sweep against Cal State Bakersfield on Sunday evening at Hardt Field, riding the arm of one of the conference’s hottest pitchers into the series finale.

The Gauchos (28-15, 13-11 Big West) have won five of their last six and are coming off a dominant 18-1 rout of the Roadrunners on Friday, their second consecutive victory in the series following a scoreless 0-0 contest Saturday.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under partly cloudy skies, with the temperature expected to be 86 degrees.

Right-hander Jackson Flora is the scheduled starter for UC Santa Barbara. The junior has been nearly untouchable over his last four outings, posting a 0.40 ERA across 22 innings with 31 strikeouts and just one earned run allowed. In Friday’s win over the Roadrunners, Flora tossed five innings of no-hit ball, striking out eight without walking a batter. He also threw six no-hit innings with nine strikeouts in a win at UC Irvine on April 17. For the season, Flora has lowered his ERA to 2.38 and has not allowed more than one earned run in any of his past four starts.

Cal State Bakersfield (19-25, 10-14) will counter with right-hander Payton Pudenz. The sophomore has appeared primarily in relief, tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings in his last two outings. However, he has struggled with consistency this season, allowing earned runs in four of his last seven appearances. Pudenz logged one inning of scoreless relief in Friday’s loss, striking out one.

The Roadrunners are looking to snap a two-game losing streak. They are 2-3 in their last five home games.

UC Santa Barbara’s offense has been potent of late, scoring 18 runs on 19 hits in Friday’s win. Catcher Nate Vargas went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, and second baseman William Vasseur went 3-for-3 with three RBIs. The Gauchos have scored at least seven runs in five of their last seven games.

Cal State Bakersfield’s pitching staff has been vulnerable, allowing 18 runs in the series opener and six or more runs in six of their last eight losses.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-5 victory for UC Santa Barbara.

The Gauchos return home Tuesday to host Pepperdine before a three-game road series at Cal State Northridge beginning Friday. The Roadrunners host Fresno State on Tuesday before a three-game home series against UC San Diego starting Friday.