Akron at Central Michigan Preview

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (Interstat) — The Akron Zips (19-29) visit the Central Michigan Chippewas (18-27) on Saturday afternoon at Bill Theunissen Stadium in a Mid-American Conference matchup. First pitch is scheduled under cloudy skies with a temperature of 61 degrees.

The series opener Friday saw Central Michigan blank Akron 3-0 behind a complete-game shutout from right-hander Hayden Bailey. Bailey struck out eight and allowed two hits over nine innings. The Zips managed only two hits and struck out eight times.

Bailey (4-2) has been erratic this season. He threw nine shutout innings Friday but lasted just 2 1/3 innings in his previous start, allowing six earned runs against Northern Illinois. He also fired a six-inning, six-strikeout shutout against Bowling Green on April 11.

Akron will counter with right-hander Elijah Griffith (2-4). Griffith also took the loss Friday, allowing two earned runs on zero hits over six innings, striking out two. He has been effective in recent outings despite a 0-3 record in his last four starts. On April 24 at Ohio, he threw six hitless innings with seven strikeouts in a 21-7 win. He also allowed just one hit over six innings in an 8-10 loss to Northern Illinois on April 17.

The Zips have lost four straight and six of their last seven. Their offense has been inconsistent, scoring two or fewer runs in three of their last four games. Akron’s biggest win of the season came April 24 at Ohio, where they scored 21 runs.

Central Michigan snapped a four-game losing streak with Friday’s win. The Chippewas had lost 10 of their previous 12, including a sweep at Miami (Ohio) from April 24-26. Their pitching staff has been vulnerable, allowing 12 or more runs four times this season.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-2 Akron win, but the same service’s ELO system gives Central Michigan a 63.7 percent probability to win.

The teams conclude the three-game series Sunday. Akron then visits Oakland on Tuesday, while Central Michigan hosts Valparaiso on Tuesday.