Preview: Youngstown State Penguins at Akron Zips

AKRON, Ohio (Interstat) — The Akron Zips will look to continue their recent momentum when they host the struggling Youngstown State Penguins in a non-conference baseball game Tuesday evening at InfoCision Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under cloudy skies with temperatures around 65 degrees.

The Zips (12-14) enter having won three of their last five, including a 7-4 victory over Toledo on Sunday. Akron’s bullpen has been a key factor, with reliever Brady Bowen providing a recent standout performance. In Sunday’s win, Bowen threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out five. For the season, Bowen has been utilized both as a pitcher and a position player.

Conversely, the Penguins (3-22) are mired in a difficult season, having lost 10 of their last 11 games. They arrive after dropping three straight one-run decisions at Northern Kentucky over the weekend, including a 5-4 loss Sunday.

A player to watch for Youngstown State is starter Brandon Mikos, who was effective in a hard-luck loss Sunday. Mikos pitched 5 1/3 innings of hitless relief against Northern Kentucky, though he was charged with three earned runs. Control has been an issue in recent outings, but he has shown swing-and-miss ability with 16 strikeouts over his last 15 2/3 innings.

The teams represent a stark contrast in form. Akron has shown resilience in close games and possesses a more balanced attack, while Youngstown State has repeatedly found ways to lose tight contests, with eight of their 22 losses coming by two runs or fewer.

According to Interstat, the Zips are clear favorites. Their game simulator projects a 5-1 Akron victory, and their ELO rating system gives the Zips a 61.5% probability to win.

This game is the first of a home-and-home series between the regional foes. They will meet again in Youngstown on April 14.

Following Tuesday’s contest, Akron opens Mid-American Conference play with a three-game series at Bowling Green starting Thursday. Youngstown State begins Horizon League action at Milwaukee on Thursday.