LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — Cal Poly (36-22) meets Virginia Tech (30-24) on Friday in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship at a neutral site in Los Angeles, with the first pitch scheduled for a time to be announced. The Mustangs and Hokies enter the playoff game with contrasting momentum and key arms on the mound.

Cal Poly, the visiting team, rides a three-game winning streak into the contest, most recently defeating UC San Diego 4-3 on Sunday. In that win, right-hander Corden Pettey tossed five innings of three-hit shutout ball, striking out seven, and right fielder Dylan Kordic went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Pettey, a player to watch for the Mustangs, has been sharp: on May 3 he threw 3 2/3 hitless innings (though with three earned runs) in an 8-6 win at UC Irvine. His command and ability to limit damage will be critical against a Virginia Tech lineup that posted 17 runs in a win over Notre Dame on May 20 but has been inconsistent.

Virginia Tech arrives after a 10-4 loss at North Carolina on May 22, its second defeat in three games. In that game, reliever Ethan Grim delivered 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out four. Grim, a key arm for the Hokies, has been effective despite occasional struggles: he threw three hitless innings in a 2-1 win over Clemson on May 15 and two scoreless frames at California on May 2, but also surrendered four earned runs in an appearance against Notre Dame on May 20. His ability to bounce back will be vital against a Cal Poly offense that averages nearly seven runs per game.

The Hokies’ most productive player in the North Carolina loss was first baseman Ethan Gibson, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Virginia Tech’s season has been a rollercoaster: they swept a three-game series at California in early May but struggled against Clemson, splitting a four-game set at home. Cal Poly, meanwhile, has won seven of its last nine, including a sweep of Long Beach State and a series win at Cal State Fullerton.

The weather forecast for Friday shows temperatures in the — range, with no precipitation expected.

Interstat’s game simulator projects an 8-6 victory for Cal Poly. The Mustangs will rely on Pettey’s strong recent outings and a lineup that produced 15 runs at Fresno State on May 12. Virginia Tech will counter with Grim and a lineup that can erupt, as evidenced by a 17-run outburst against Notre Dame. The winner advances in the double-elimination tournament.