Preview: Struggling Black Bears Face Hot Flyers in Dayton

DAYTON, Ohio (Interstat) — The Dayton Flyers, one of the nation’s hottest early-season teams, will look to extend their winning ways when they host the struggling Maine Black Bears in a three-game series opener Friday at Woerner Field.

First pitch is scheduled for the evening, though forecasts call for rain and temperatures near 60 degrees.

The Flyers (9-3) enter riding a wave of offensive momentum, having scored 10 or more runs in four of their last six games. Their most recent outing was a 14-11 slugfest win at Akron on Wednesday. Dayton’s lineup is powered by outfielder Colin Lynch, who is batting .500 (7 for 14) with four home runs and nine RBIs over his last four games. He went 3 for 3 with two homers and three RBIs against the Zips.

Maine (2-10) seeks to halt a five-game skid. The Black Bears are coming off a 9-6 loss at Winthrop on March 1, part of a winless six-game road trip. Designated hitter Rex Hauser provided the lone bright spot in that loss, going 3 for 4 with two home runs and four RBIs. He will be a key figure if Maine hopes to challenge the Flyers.

The teams’ trajectories contrast sharply. Dayton has won nine of its last 10, while Maine has lost 10 of its last 11 after opening the season with a win at Duke.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-1 Dayton victory.

The series continues with games Saturday and Sunday at Woerner Field.