Preview: Mercyhurst Lakers at Coppin State Eagles

ELKRIDGE, Md. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking their first win of the season will meet Friday when the Mercyhurst Lakers visit the Coppin State Eagles for a non-conference baseball game at Joe Cannon Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon. The forecast calls for cloudy skies and a temperature of 54 degrees.

Both programs enter the matchup mired in extended season-opening losing streaks. Mercyhurst (0-7) was swept in three-game series at Wofford and Murray State. The Lakers are coming off a 20-4 loss at Murray State on Sunday.

Coppin State (0-8) has faced a difficult early slate, including a three-game sweep at Oklahoma. The Eagles fell 8-7 at Navy on Tuesday.

A player to watch for Mercyhurst is center fielder Riley Ames. He is coming off a 2-for-3 performance with an RBI in Sunday’s loss and hit a home run in the series opener at Murray State on Feb. 27.

For Coppin State, right-hander Aaden Lopez has been a bright spot in the bullpen. In three relief appearances this season, he has not allowed a hit over five combined innings, striking out seven. He pitched three hitless innings with three strikeouts at Navy on Tuesday.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a narrow 1-0 victory for Mercyhurst. The service’s ELO rating system gives the Lakers a 75.30 percent probability to win.

This game is the first of a three-game weekend series organized by the Northeast. The teams will meet again at Joe Cannon Stadium on Saturday and Sunday.