Preview, how to watch Texas Tech baseball at UCF

The Texas Tech baseball team and Central Florida are among five teams tied for seventh place in the Big 12 with 4-5 conference records. On paper, there's nothing special about their three-game series this week in Orlando.

Winning the series, though, would be important for the Red Raiders. UCF is No. 6 in the RPI ranking that carries weight in NCAA tournament consideration.

"It's a really good opportunity for us," Tech coach Tim Tadlock said. "They do have the (sixth) RPI in the country. That's something that, since they're in the league, that's a good deal for us."

Tech (18-7) and UCF (16-6) square off at 6:30 p.m. CDT Thursday, 5 p.m. CDT Friday and noon Saturday. The two teams are fourth and sixth, respectively, in this week's Big 12 power rankings . Thursday's series opener was moved back 90 minutes to accommodate Tech travel delays.

The Knights received votes in this week's USA TODAY Sports Top 25 coaches poll . Their resumé includes five non-conference victories over three of last year's NCAA tournament teams — No. 6 Florida, Miami and Samford. Since getting swept in its first Big 12 series at Oklahoma, UCF has taken two of three from both Oklahoma State and Kansas.

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Texas Tech started Big 12 play going 2-4 against Texas and Baylor, then recovered to win the last two in last week's three-game set with Brigham Young.

The Red Raiders lead the conference in batting average and runs scored. The Knights have the conference's fifth-best team earned-run average and are second in fielding.

How to watch Texas Tech baseball at Central Florida

When: 6:30 p.m. CDT Thursday, 5 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday

Where: John Euliano Park, Orlando, Florida

Records: Texas Tech 18-7, 4-5 in the Big 12; UCF 16-6, 4-5

Ranking in USA TODAY Sports Top 25 coaches poll: Texas Tech unranked; UCF receiving votes

Starting pitchers: Thursday, Texas Tech RHP Mac Heuer (2-2, 5.18 earned-run average) vs. UCF RHP Ben Vespi (2-1, 4.50). Texas Tech RHP Kyle Robinson (3-2, 4.65) vs. UCF RHP Dom Stagliano (0-1, 3.63). Saturday, Texas Tech starter to be determined vs. UCF RHP Wiley Hartley (2-1, 2.84).

Online streaming: All three games on ESPN+

Texas Tech baseball results, upcoming schedule

Home games in ALL CAPS. Asterisk (*) denotes Big 12 game.

Feb. 16: vs. Tennessee, L 6-2

Feb. 17: vs. Nebraska, W 6-3

Feb. 18: vs. Oregon, W 11-7

Feb. 20: vs. Texas-Arlington, W 13-1

Feb. 21: vs. Oregon State, L 10-4

Feb. 23: TEXAS SOUTHERN, W 32-5

Feb. 24: TEXAS SOUTHERN, W 20-4

Feb. 25: TEXAS SOUTHERN, W 16-5

March 1: GARDNER-WEBB, W 10-7

March 2: GARDNER-WEBB, W 29-3

March 3: GARDNER-WEBB, W 9-5

March 5: at New Mexico, W 11-8

March 8: TEXAS*, L 22-8

March 9: TEXAS*, W 7-2

March 10: TEXAS*, L 9-7

March 12: NEW MEXICO STATE, W 13-7

March 13: NEW MEXICO STATE, W 9-7

March 15: at Baylor*, W 2-0

March 17: at Baylor*, L 5-1

March 17: at Baylor*, L 7-2

March 19: ABILENE CHRISTIAN, W 9-4

March 21: BRIGHAM YOUNG*, L 8-5

March 22: BRIGHAM YOUNG*, W 4-3

March 23: BRIGHAM YOUNG*, W 10-1

Tuesday: STEPHEN F. AUSTIN, W 16-4

Thursday: at Central Florida*, 5 p.m.

Friday: at Central Florida*, 5 p.m.

Saturday: at Central Florida*, noon

Monday: STANFORD, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday: STANFORD, noon

April 5: HOUSTON*, 6:30 p.m.

April 6: HOUSTON*, 2 p.m.

April 7: HOUSTON*, 1 p.m.

April 9: at Abilene Christian, 6:05 p.m.

April 12: at TCU*, 6:30 p.m.

April 13: at TCU*, 3 p.m.

April 14: at TCU*, 1 p.m.

April 16: at Arkansas, 7 p.m.

April 17: at Arkansas, 4 p.m.

April 19: WEST VIRGINIA*, 6:30 p.m.

April 20: WEST VIRGINIA*, 2 p.m.

April 21: WEST VIRGINIA*, 1 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Preview, how to watch Texas Tech baseball at UCF