Preview: Western Michigan at Eastern Michigan

YPSILANTI, Mich. (Interstat) — A surging Western Michigan team visits struggling Eastern Michigan on Friday to open a Mid-American Conference series at Oestrike Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for the evening, with rain and 66-degree temperatures in the forecast.

The Broncos (17-14) enter having won three of their last four, including a series victory over Toledo last weekend. The Eagles (10-24) are mired in a six-game losing streak, having been swept by Massachusetts and outscored 73-21 in the process.

Western Michigan will look to starter Ricky Kidd to set the tone. The right-hander is coming off a complete-game effort in a 6-3 win over Toledo on April 12, where he allowed three earned runs over eight innings. In his last four starts, Kidd has a 2.25 ERA across 26 innings.

Eastern Michigan’s offense, which scored 15 runs in a losing effort Sunday, is powered by center fielder John Hale. He went 5 for 7 with two home runs and five RBIs in that contest. Hale is 8 for 18 (.444) over his last five games.

The Broncos took two of three from the Eagles in their last meeting during the 2025 season.

According to Interstat, Western Michigan is projected as a significant favorite with a 62.5% win probability. The service’s game simulator predicts an 8-3 victory for the visiting Broncos.

The three-game series continues Saturday and Sunday afternoon in Ypsilanti.