PREVIEW: Middle Tennessee at Florida International

MIAMI (Interstat) — Middle Tennessee (24-26, 10-14 Conference USA) visits Florida International (16-34, 7-17) on Sunday afternoon at FIU Baseball Stadium in the rubber match of a three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. EDT under partly cloudy skies with a temperature of 89 degrees.

The Blue Raiders bounced back from a 9-8 loss to Western Kentucky on May 3 with a series-opening 11-9 victory over FIU on Friday, but the Golden Panthers answered with a 7-5 win Saturday to even the set. Middle Tennessee has dropped three of its last four games overall, while FIU has lost six of its last nine.

Middle Tennessee likely will send right-hander Chandler Alderman to the mound. Alderman (3-4, 6.14 ERA) has been inconsistent over his last four outings. He took the loss Saturday against FIU, allowing five earned runs on zero hits in 5 2/3 innings while walking four and striking out six. In a 12-8 win at Sam Houston on April 25, he gave up five earned runs in four innings. His best recent start came April 18 against Delaware, when he allowed one earned run on five hits across five innings in a 4-3 victory. Alderman has struggled with command, issuing 12 walks in his last 10 2/3 innings.

FIU counters with Samuel Fischer, the Golden Panthers’ second baseman who enters Sunday on a hot streak. Fischer went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs in Saturday’s win over Middle Tennessee. He has homered in three of his last five games and driven in at least one run in six of his last seven. Over his last 10 contests, Fischer is batting .333 (8-for-24) with three home runs and 12 RBIs.

The series has been defined by offense. Friday’s 20-run affair featured 23 combined hits, while Saturday’s game was tighter with FIU scoring three runs in the seventh inning to break a 4-4 tie. Middle Tennessee’s Brett Rogers went 2-for-4 with an RBI on Saturday, and catcher Caden Sammler homered and drove in two runs for FIU.

Middle Tennessee’s bullpen has been taxed after Alderman’s short outings. Colin Kerrigan threw 0 2/3 scoreless innings Saturday. FIU’s George Adams earned the win Saturday, tossing 3 1/3 scoreless innings in relief.

The Blue Raiders have lost four of their last five games away from Murfreesboro, while the Golden Panthers are 8-17 at home. A computer simulation projects a 4-2 victory for Middle Tennessee.

After Sunday, Middle Tennessee returns home to face Memphis on Tuesday, then hosts Liberty for a three-game series starting May 14. FIU travels to New Mexico State for a three-game set beginning May 14.