SURPRISE, Ariz. (Interstat) — Two of the Big 12’s top teams meet Thursday at Surprise Stadium when Cincinnati visits Arizona State, with both clubs jockeying for postseason positioning late in the regular season.

The Bearcats (37-19) hold a one-game edge in the loss column over the Sun Devils (36-18) entering a series that carries significant conference tournament implications. First pitch is set for a time to be announced.

Cincinnati’s offense revolves around first baseman Quinton Coats, who enters on a torrid stretch. Over his last five games, Coats is batting .421 (8-for-19) with four home runs and 14 RBIs. He had a 4-for-4, two-homer, six-RBI performance in a 13-1 win over Texas Tech on May 14, then followed it with a 3-for-5, one-homer, five-RBI effort in an 8-7 victory against the Red Raiders a day later. Coats also homered and drove in three runs in a 5-3 win at Kansas State on May 9.

Arizona State counters with right-hander Jaden Alba, who turned in a dominant outing in his most recent start. Alba threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing no hits with one unearned run and seven strikeouts in the Sun Devils’ 8-3 win at Houston on May 16. The performance was a bounce-back from a rough outing May 9 against Oklahoma State, when he gave up seven earned runs in 3 2/3 innings. Over his last four appearances, Alba has a 3.86 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings.

The Bearcats have won three of their last four, including consecutive victories over Texas Tech on May 14 and 15. Cincinnati also took two of three at Kansas State from May 8-10.

The Sun Devils have won four of their last five, taking two of three at Houston from May 14-16 after dropping the series opener.

Interstat’s game simulator projects an 8-7 Cincinnati victory in a tightly contested matchup.