AP Sports Preview

Lynchburg, Va. (Interstat) — Liberty will host Virginia Tech in a non-conference baseball game Wednesday at Liberty Baseball Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. The forecast calls for 79 degrees and cloudy.

Liberty (35-13) enters the game with the better record. Virginia Tech is 25-21 across all competitions. The Flames defeated the Hokies 11-4 on April 7 in their most recent head-to-head meeting.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-6 Liberty victory. The ELO system gives the Flames a 52.60 percent probability to win.

Players to watch

Liberty: Right-hander Bradley Zayac has been a key arm for the Flames. In his most recent start Sunday at New Mexico State, he allowed two earned runs on zero hits over 5.0 innings with five strikeouts in a 7-4 win. In his prior four starts, he allowed 16 earned runs over 18.0 innings but also struck out 14. On the season, he has shown the ability to dominate, including a start April 12 against Jacksonville State when he allowed one earned run over 6.0 innings with five strikeouts.

Virginia Tech: Right-handed reliever Brody Roe has been effective out of the bullpen. Over his last six appearances dating to April 10, he has allowed one earned run over 8.1 innings with six strikeouts. He has not allowed a hit in his last five outings, covering 7.0 innings. In his most recent appearance Sunday at California, he threw 1.2 scoreless innings with three strikeouts.

Recent results

Virginia Tech lost its most recent game 9-4 at California on Sunday. Right fielder Sam Grube went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Reliever Luke Craytor threw 1.1 scoreless innings with one strikeout.

Liberty won its most recent game 7-4 at New Mexico State on Sunday. Left fielder Nick Barone went 4-for-4 with two RBI.

Upcoming schedules

Virginia Tech hosts UNC Greensboro for a three-game series beginning Saturday.

Liberty hosts Louisiana Tech for a three-game series beginning Friday.