EAST LANSING, Mich. (Interstat) — The Illinois State Redbirds and Michigan State Spartans will meet in an afternoon game Saturday, May 16, continuing a three-game Big Ten series that has been one-sided. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at McLane Stadium. The weather is forecast to be clear and mild for game time.

Illinois State (30-21) is the seed in the conference tournament race and holds a winning record overall, but the Redbirds were shut out twice in the series’ first two games, including a 10-0 loss Thursday. They will look to avoid a sweep behind right-hander Carson Cormier. The junior has been inconsistent this season. Cormier allowed two earned runs in three innings Thursday against the Spartans, and he gave up four earned runs in five innings May 9 against Illinois-Chicago. However, he has shown dominant form earlier this season, striking out 13 in seven scoreless innings against Murray State on April 18 and tossing eight shutout innings against Bradley on April 25.

Michigan State (21-30) has won three straight overall and four of its last five. The Spartans have found their stride after a difficult stretch, including a weekend series win at Ohio State. Left-hander Aidan Donovan is expected to start for Michigan State. Donovan did not allow an earned run in three innings of relief in Thursday’s win, striking out three. He has pitched at least five innings in three of his last four starts, earning wins in two of those outings. Donovan’s most effective start came April 18 at Washington, when he pitched 6 2/3 innings and allowed three hits and three earned runs.

Thursday’s game was the most recent for both teams. For Illinois State, Cormier led the pitching staff but was charged with two earned runs. Jackson Natanek and Tresdon Rybarczyk also pitched but combined to allow five earned runs. For Michigan State, Issac Sturgess went 3 for 4 with two RBIs at designated hitter, while Ben Kochany pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief.

A computer simulation by Interstat projects a 6-5 win for Illinois State.