AP Sports Preview

ORLANDO, Fla. (Interstat) — Arizona State visits UCF on Friday in a Big 12 series opener at Jay Bergman Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under partly cloudy skies with temperatures near 85 degrees.

The Sun Devils (31-14) enter the three-game set riding momentum from a weekend sweep of Baylor. The Knights (26-15) seek to build on a midweek win over Stetson.

Arizona State right-hander Kole Klecker (6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 8 K in his last start April 26 vs. Baylor) has posted a 1.50 ERA over his past two outings. In his five appearances this season, Klecker has 21 strikeouts in 19 innings.

UCF catcher Zak Skinner has been productive at the plate, going 9-for-18 with one home run and nine RBIs over his last five games entering Friday. He hit .462 (6-for-13) with five RBIs in a series sweep at Utah last weekend.

The Sun Devils took three of four from Baylor last weekend, winning 11-4 on Sunday behind Klecker. Arizona State has won six of its past eight games.

UCF defeated Stetson 6-5 on Wednesday. Skinner went 3-for-5 with three RBIs, while Javier Crespo added three hits and two RBIs. Roman Kimball struck out four over 3.2 innings.

The Interstat game simulator projects an 8-6 Arizona State victory.

Following this series, Arizona State visits Missouri on Tuesday before hosting Oklahoma State next weekend. UCF travels to Florida Atlantic on Tuesday before opening a series at Baylor.

The teams continue the series Saturday and Sunday.