AP Sports Preview

YPSILANTI, Mich. (Interstat) — The Ohio Bobcats and Eastern Michigan Eagles open a critical Mid-American Conference baseball series Friday afternoon at Oestrike Stadium, with the Eagles seeking to build on a commanding Game 1 victory.

First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon at Oestrike Stadium in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The forecast calls for 64 degrees and cloudy skies.

Eastern Michigan (18-33) enters the doubleheader opener with momentum following a 4-0 shutout of Ohio on Thursday. The Eagles, who sit alone in sixth place in the MAC standings, send right-hander John Carmichael to the mound. Carmichael delivered a gem in Thursday’s win, tossing six scoreless innings, scattering seven hits and striking out five. The senior has been dominant in his last two starts: he fired seven scoreless innings with nine strikeouts against Kent State on May 8, and worked 8 2/3 innings against Bowling Green on May 1, allowing one run on three hits with eight strikeouts.

Ohio (10-42) has lost 10 of its last 11 games and is mired in last place in the conference. The Bobcats managed only four hits in Thursday’s loss, all singles, and struck out 11 times. Reliever Dillon Masters is a key arm out of the bullpen. The right-hander tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings in Thursday’s loss and has allowed one earned run over his last three appearances covering 6 2/3 innings, with four strikeouts.

The Bobcats have been outscored 24-8 during their current four-game losing streak. Ohio’s last win came May 8 against Toledo in 10 innings.

Friday marks the second game of the four-game series. The same two teams meet again Saturday at Oestrike Stadium.

Interstat’s game simulator projects Eastern Michigan a 5-2 winner, giving the Eagles a 61.70 percent probability to win.