AP Sports Preview

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. (Interstat) — The Akron Zips visit the Oakland Golden Grizzlies on Tuesday afternoon at Oakland University Baseball Field, with first pitch set for under cloudy skies and 57 degrees.

Akron (20-30) looks to snap a two-game skid after losing 12-11 at Central Michigan on Sunday. The Zips have lost six of their last seven games. Oakland (9-37) has dropped nine straight, including a 9-3 loss at Notre Dame on Sunday.

For Akron, two-way player Brady Bowen has been productive recently. In Sunday’s loss, the infielder/pitcher went 2 for 4 with three RBIs. Over his last 10 games, Bowen has pitched in relief — striking out five over five scoreless innings against Ohio on April 26 — while also collecting multiple hits in five of his last eight starts at the plate.

Oakland counters with reliever Jaxson Easterlin, who threw three scoreless innings Sunday against Notre Dame, allowing no hits and no runs. The right-hander has a 7.36 ERA over 11 appearances this season but has been effective in two of his last three outings, combining for 5 2/3 scoreless innings with one strikeout.

Akron’s most productive players in Sunday’s loss also included pitcher Parker Munday (2.0 innings, three strikeouts) and right fielder Brody Chrisman (2 for 6, two RBIs). For Oakland, catcher Aidan Schuck went 3 for 3, and pitcher Camden Cooper tossed two scoreless innings.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-0 Akron win.

The Zips continue their road trip Thursday at Miami (Ohio). Oakland opens a three-game series at Milwaukee on Thursday.