BERKELEY, Calif. (Interstat) — Stanford and California meet Friday night at Evans Diamond in a pivotal Atlantic Coast Conference series opener, with both teams hovering near the .500 mark entering the stretch run of the regular season.

Stanford (26-23 overall) brings a three-game win streak into the 7 p.m. first pitch after rallying past Saint Mary’s 7-6 on Tuesday, then sweeping North Carolina State in three games last weekend. California (27-24) dropped two of three at Virginia last weekend, but salvaged the finale Sunday with an 8-7 victory.

The Cardinal won the series opener Thursday, though no details of that result were immediately available.

Stanford freshman outfielder Brock Sell has been one of the team’s most consistent hitters over the past two weeks. In his last seven starts, Sell has collected multiple hits in five games, including a 2-for-3, three-RBI performance Tuesday against Saint Mary’s. In the North Carolina State series, he went 4-for-10 with one RBI. For the season, the right fielder is batting .312 with 28 RBIs.

California shortstop Jett Kenady provides the Golden Bears with middle-of-the-order power. In his last three games against Virginia, Kenady homered twice — a solo shot in Friday’s 7-4 win and a grand slam in Sunday’s 8-7 victory. Over his last 10 contests, he has driven in 11 runs and posted a .325 average. The sophomore is batting .289 with eight home runs and 39 RBIs this season.

Stanford’s pitching staff has been steady recently. Against Saint Mary’s, relievers Brock Ketelsen (2.0 IP, 1 H) and Colt Peterson (1.2 IP, 0 H) combined for 3.2 scoreless innings to preserve the one-run win.

California counters with a bullpen that has been inconsistent. Against Virginia, reliever Ethan Foley allowed four earned runs over four innings Sunday, while Trent Roach tossed two scoreless frames Friday.

The game is the first of a three-game ACC series. Stanford’s remaining schedule includes a Saturday rematch at Evans Diamond. Cal’s schedule also shows a Saturday home game against Stanford.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-5 win for Stanford.