Preview: Cal State Fullerton at UC San Diego

LA JOLLA, Calif. (Interstat) — UC San Diego hosts Cal State Fullerton on Friday night at UCSD Triton Baseball Field with both teams looking to gain momentum in the Big West series. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. under clear skies and 70-degree weather.

The Tritons (23-25 overall) enter after a 10-6 win over the Titans on Thursday, powered by shortstop Anthony Potestio’s 3-for-5, three-RBI performance. Potestio, a key contributor throughout the season, has hit safely in seven of his last nine games, including a 3-for-5 game at Cal State Bakersfield on May 10. He has collected multiple hits in four of his past six outings and driven in at least one run in three of those.

Cal State Fullerton (21-28) has dropped eight of its last nine contests, including Thursday’s loss. The Titans’ pitching staff has struggled recently, with reliever Brady Dockan taking the loss Thursday despite allowing only one earned run over 2 1/3 innings. Dockan, a right-hander, has appeared in six games over the past month, posting a 4.91 ERA over 11 2/3 innings with six strikeouts. He has yet to record a win this season.

Thursday’s game saw the Titans’ Cameron Kim go 3-for-5 with an RBI, but the team’s bullpen surrendered seven runs in a 5 1/3-inning outing from Mikiah Negrete.

UC San Diego’s offense has been potent, scoring at least eight runs in three of its last four wins. The Tritons have also shown power, with Nick Costello homering and driving in three runs Thursday and Gabe Camacho adding a two-run homer.

The Tritons have won four of their last five, while the Titans have lost 10 of their last 12.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-3 UC San Diego victory, and the ELO system gives the Tritons a 53.4% probability to win.

The two teams conclude the three-game series with a Saturday matinee at the same venue.