KENT, Ohio – Eastern Michigan visits Kent State on Sunday for the rubber match of a three-game Mid-American Conference series at Olga Mural Field at Schoonover Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon under a forecast of 61 degrees and rain.

The Golden Flashes (35-12, 18-6 MAC) hold a 2-0 series lead after winning 6-5 on Friday and losing 10-7 in 10 innings Saturday, but they still sit atop the conference standings. The Eagles (17-31, 10-14) are fighting to climb out of the lower half of the MAC.

Eastern Michigan will rely on outfielder Devan Zirwas, who has been on a tear. Over his past 10 games, Zirwas is batting .444 (16-for-36) with one home run and 11 RBIs. In Saturday’s extra-inning win, he went 3-for-3 with three RBIs. He also had a 4-for-5, five-RBI performance May 6 at Youngstown State.

Kent State counters with outfielder Alejandro Covas, who homered and drove in three runs Saturday. Covas is hitting .389 (7-for-18) in his past five games and has been a consistent run producer for the Flashes, who own the best record in the MAC.

The Flashes’ pitching staff holds a 3.84 ERA, while the Eagles’ staff has a 5.70 ERA. Kent State is 22-4 at home this season; Eastern Michigan is 6-18 on the road.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Kent State is projected to win 7-5.

After Sunday, Eastern Michigan travels to Michigan State on Tuesday, then hosts Ohio in a three-game series starting Thursday. Kent State hosts Michigan on Tuesday before traveling to Toledo for a three-game set.

Eastern Michigan (17-31, 10-14) at Kent State (35-12, 18-6)

When: Sunday, 1 p.m. (weather permitting)

Where: Olga Mural Field at Schoonover Stadium, Kent, Ohio

Players to watch: Eastern Michigan LF Devan Zirwas (.444, 1 HR, 11 RBIs over last 10 games); Kent State LF Alejandro Covas (.389, 1 HR, 7 RBIs over last 5 games)

Weather: 61°F, rain

Series: Tied 1-1. Kent State won Friday 6-5; Eastern Michigan won Saturday 10-7 (10)

Projected score (Interstat): Kent State 7, Eastern Michigan 5