Neither Ohio (7-20, 3-9 Mid-American Conference) nor Northern Illinois (10-17, 1-8 MAC) has started the season they way they hoped to. With just a few weeks left, both sit among the bottom three teams in the MAC Baseball Standings.
The Huskies and the Bobcats will now have a prime opportunity to turn their seasons around before it is too late with a three-game series against each other.
Here is everything you need to know:
Series Information:
Opponent: Northern Illinois (7-20, 3-9 MAC)
Location: Dekalb, Illinois
Times: Friday at 2 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Where to watch: NIU All Access
Follow live stats here
Meet the Opponent:
Head coach: Ryan Copeland (second season)
Probable pitching matchups:
Game One: Blake Gaskey for Ohio versus Adam Brouwer
Game Two: Hudson Boncal for Ohio versus Ty Brachbill
Game Three: Hunter Winston for Ohio versus Max Vaisvila
Statistical Leaders:
Batting Average: Logan Gregorio (.345)
RBI: Gregorio (34)
Home Runs: Gavin Baldwin and Gregorio (10)
Walks: Baldwin (16)
ERA: Mason Ruh (3.72)
Strikeouts: Adam Brouwer (44)
Ohio notes
Now 27 games into the season, Ohio has yet to answer its biggest preseason question: How will the pitching improve from 2024? In almost every loss, poor pitching has been at the center of either a lopsided blowout or a late blown lead. After what is now thought to be a season-ending injury to lefty Dillon Masters, the road for the Ohio pitching staff gets a little harder.
While the pitching hasn’t been good, the Bobcats' most recent loss featured an offensive performance that left a lot to be desired. Against Morehead State, Ohio scored just 3 runs on four hits while not being able to score till the eighth inning.
Player to Watch: Hunter Winston
With Masters likely out for Sunday, attention turns to who will take his spot in the rotation. The most likely candidate will be true freshman left-hander Hunter Winston. A native of Hinckley, Ohio, Winston has taken the ball as the starter in Ohio’s last three midweek games. In his most recent outing, Winston hurled four innings while allowing just 1 run on three hits.
Whoever is tabbed with the Sunday start has big shoes to fill after Masters proved to be one of the more dominant arms in the rotation.
