JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — Florida Gulf Coast visits Jacksonville on Saturday, May 16, 2026, for a pivotal ASUN Conference baseball series finale at John Sessions Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon under cloudy skies, with temperatures around 78 degrees.

The Eagles (34-19) hold a one-game lead in the series after splitting the first two games. Jacksonville (28-24) won Friday’s contest 3-2, while Florida Gulf Coast took Thursday’s game by the same score. The teams have split four meetings this season, with Jacksonville winning two of three at home in April before the Eagles rebounded this week.

Florida Gulf Coast right-hander Chris Diaz is expected to start. In Friday’s loss, Diaz tossed five scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out one. Over his last five outings, he has a 2-1 record with a 2.79 ERA, including a complete-game shutout at Queens (N.C.) on April 18 (9 IP, 0 H, 7 K) and an eight-inning win against West Georgia on May 9 (9 H, 5 ER, 10 K). Diaz has been sharp in two starts against Jacksonville this season, allowing one earned run over 10 innings.

Jacksonville counters with right-hander Brendan Holland. He earned the win Friday, pitching five innings while giving up one hit and no earned runs with six strikeouts. Holland has been inconsistent lately: He allowed four earned runs in four innings at Stetson on May 9, but bounced back with 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball at North Florida on May 2. In his last five starts, he is 3-1 with a 4.19 ERA.

The Eagles’ offense has been steady, scoring at least five runs in seven of their last 10 games. Jacksonville’s lineup struggled at times, managing just two runs in Thursday’s loss before producing three Friday.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Florida Gulf Coast is projected to win 8-4. The ELO system gives the Eagles a 55.4 percent probability of victory.

Saturday’s outcome could determine seeding for the ASUN tournament. A win would give Florida Gulf Coast its second series victory over Jacksonville this season. The Dolphins look to even the season series at three wins apiece.