With a weekend series against one another on the horizon, Ohio (6-17, 2-7 Mid-American Conference) and Eastern Michigan (11-10, 6-3 MAC) are coming into their matchup off two very different weeks.
Ohio's offensive performance last weekend was one of its worst. Against the worst offense in the MAC, the Bobcats lost two of three, including a 1-0 shutout in which they only recorded two hits. On the other hand, Eastern Michigan was able to fly the flag against Michigan in a 9-8 upset victory Tuesday.
Here is everything you need to know before the two teams collide:
Series information
Opponent: Eastern Michigan Eagles
Location: Bob Wren Stadium (Athens)
Times: Friday at 3 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Watch all three games on ESPN+.
Meet the opponent
Head coach:
Robbie Britt (second season, 25-48 record)
Statistical leaders:
Batting average: Devan Zirwas (.383)
Hits: Logan Hugo (34)
Home runs: Hugo (6)
RBI: Zirwas (29)
ERA: Drew Beckner (4.02)
Strikeouts: Tyler Kapa (32)
Innings pitched: Beckner (31.1)
Projected starters (Ohio)
Friday: Blake Gaskey (8.01 ERA and 20 strikeouts)
Saturday: Hudson Boncal (4.83 ERA and 35 strikeouts)
Sunday: Dillon Masters (4.71 ERA and 25 strikeouts)
Projected starters (Eastern Michigan)
Friday: Drew Beckner (4.02 ERA and 29 strikeouts)
Saturday: Tyler Kapa (10.36 ERA and 32 strikeouts)
Sunday: Bobby Jones (9.82 ERA and 17 strikeouts)
Ohio notes
In a season of bullpen implosions and game-ending defensive errors, Ohio has typically been able to fall back on its offensive output. The Bobcat offense sits second in the MAC in home runs and fourth in hits, but against the Rockets they were unable to provide when their defense gave up just a single run Sunday.
In the Sunday matchup, the MAC’s second-most prolific out-of-the-park hitter and run generator, sophomore outfielder Ben Slanker, went zero for four, only getting on base once. Ohio’s offense will need more, especially from the top of its lineup, if it wishes to snap a three-game losing streak this weekend.
Player to Watch: Nick Dolan
In previous years, fifth-year infielder Nick Dolan was a shutout third-baseman, one of the best in the MAC, and a reliable hitter. In just 18 appearances, he equaled the five home run total he earned last season in 42 appearances.
However, a down-stretch on the defensive end forced Ohio coach Craig Moore to move Dolan to first in the team’s Tuesday matchup, an 8-7 loss to Northern Kentucky. Regardless of where he’s playing this weekend, the Bobcats need him to be reliable for their defense to pull its weight against a red-hot Eagles team.
