AP Sports Preview

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (Interstat) — The Akron Zips visit the Central Michigan Chippewas on Friday afternoon in a Mid-American Conference baseball series opener at Bill Theunissen Stadium.

Akron (19-28) enters on a three-game losing streak after Kent State defeated the Zips 7-2 on Sunday. Pitcher Jeremiah Newman worked 5.0 innings, allowing one earned run on two hits with five strikeouts in that loss. Outfielder Prince DeBoskie went 1 for 4 with a home run.

Central Michigan (17-27) snapped a four-game skid Tuesday with a 6-4 win over Oakland. Reliever Mitchell Tarnowski earned the win with 3.0 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out four.

The forecast calls for 52 degrees with clouds at first pitch.

Players to watch

Akron right-hander Parker Munday has shown promise out of the bullpen. Over his last six appearances, Munday has a 2.70 ERA in 12.0 innings, striking out 14. He tossed 3.0 hitless innings with five strikeouts April 25 against Ohio.

Central Michigan’s Tarnowski has been effective in three of his last four outings. The right-hander has allowed no earned runs in seven of his last eight innings pitched, including a perfect inning against Youngstown State on April 15.

Recent results

Akron has lost five of its last six games. The Zips’ only win during that stretch came April 26 at Ohio, 9-8. Akron averages 5.9 runs per game but has allowed 7.2.

Central Michigan has dropped nine of its last 12. The Chippewas were swept at home by Northern Illinois last weekend, losing 8-2, 10-5 and 12-1. Their pitching staff has a 6.61 ERA in MAC play.

Simulator projection

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-2 Akron victory.

Upcoming schedule

The three-game series continues Saturday and Sunday. Akron then plays at Oakland on Tuesday. Central Michigan hosts Valparaiso on Tuesday before a three-game series at Massachusetts.