MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (Interstat) — The Akron Zips and Central Michigan Chippewas conclude their weekend series Sunday afternoon at Bill Theunissen Stadium in a Mid-American Conference matchup that carries significant weight for two teams jostling near the bottom of the league standings.

First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m., with the forecast calling for 57 degrees and cloudy skies.

Akron (20-29) enters the series finale having split the first two games against Central Michigan (18-28). The Zips won Saturday’s slugfest 12-10, but were shut out 3-0 on Friday. The loss dropped the Chippewas to 18-28 overall.

Player to watch, Akron: Brody Chrisman

The Zips’ right fielder has been the most potent bat in the series. In Saturday’s win, Chrisman went 4 for 6 with two home runs and five RBIs. The performance followed an 0-for-4 showing in Friday’s loss, illustrating his streaky nature. Over his last 10 games, Chrisman has three multi-hit outings, including a 4-for-5 game against Ohio on April 25 and a 3-for-4, one-homer, two-RBI effort at Ohio on April 24. He has been held hitless in four of his last 10 contests.

Player to watch, Central Michigan: Tyson Potts

The Chippewas’ right-hander is coming off a strong start despite taking a no-decision in Saturday’s loss. Potts tossed six innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out seven. It was his second consecutive quality outing after earning a win against Oakland on May 5, when he worked two scoreless innings. Potts has been inconsistent this season, however. In his previous start before the Oakland game, he surrendered four earned runs in one inning against Northern Illinois. On April 24, he was tagged for six earned runs in 3 1/3 innings at Miami (Ohio).

Series context

The Zips have leaned on their offense this weekend after being held scoreless Friday. Akron’s lineup erupted for 12 runs on 16 hits Saturday, with Chrisman, pitcher Carter Beck (4 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 2 K) and left fielder Gabe Mathison (1 for 4, HR, 4 RBIs) leading the way. The result evened the series after Central Michigan’s pitchers blanked Akron on Friday.

Akron had lost four in a row before Saturday, including a three-game sweep at home against Kent State. Central Michigan, meanwhile, has dropped seven of its last 10.

Looking ahead

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projection favors Akron by a narrow 4-3 margin. The Zips next travel to Oakland on Tuesday, while Central Michigan hosts Valparaiso the same day before a road series at Massachusetts starting Thursday.