Kent State University
Central Michigan University
Game Location Changed for Opening MAC Series Featuring Preseason Favorites
3/24/2016 3:15:00 PM | Baseball
The Mid-American Conference favorites are schedule to square off to begin conference play this weekend as Kent State (14-5) will travel to Central Michigan (4-17).
WEEKEND SCHEUDLE
• Due to inclement weather in Mount Pleasant, Friday's game will be played at Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. First pitch is still scheduled for 3:05 p.m. The field is located at the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex on 68th Street
• Saturday and Sunday's game are still slated to be played at Theunissen Stadium on the Central Michigan campus at 2:05 and 1:05 p.m., respectively
COVERAGE
• Live stats will be available at cmuchippewas.com
• The games will be aired live on Golden Flashes iHeart Radio
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
Friday, March 25
Kent State: #10 LHP Eric Lauer (3-1, 1.36 ERA, 35 SO, 12 BB, 5 GS, 33.0 IP)
CMU: #27 LHP Nick Deeg (1-4, 5.46 ERA, 34 SO, 7 BB, 5 GS, 28.0 IP)
Saturday, March 26
Kent State: #35 RHP Andy Ravel (3-1, 4.11 ERA, 19 SO, 5 BB, 5 GS, 30.2 IP)
CMU: #34 RHP Michael Brettell (0-1, 5.62 ERA, 15 SO, 12 BB, 3 GS, 16.0 IP)
Sunday, March 27
Kent State: #31 LHP Eli Kraus (3-1, 2.63 ERA, 19 SO, 13 BB, 5 GS, 27.1 IP)
CMU: #17 RHP Pat Leatherman (0-2, 6.75 ERA, 16 SO, 7 BB, 5 GS, 21.1 IP)
THE MATCHUP
• Kent State is 48-55 all-time against Central Michigan
• The Golden Flashes were picked to win the East Division in the preseason coaches poll while the Chippewas were selected to win the West. Kent State received four tournament champion votes while Central Michigan received two
• The teams last met in 2013. Kent State took the season series 2-1 at home then beat Central Michigan in the opening game of the MAC Tournament by a score of 15-8
• The last weekend series played in Mt. Pleasant was also a 2-1 series win for the Flashes, during the 2012 season. KSU beat CMU 3-1 in that year's MAC Tournament Championship game as they then went on to make their historic College World Series run
• The Chippewas last won the series in 2011 at home as they took the opening game 2-1 and the finale 5-4 after dropping Saturday's matchup 9-3
• As a team, Central Michigan is batting .237 and has a combined ERA of 6.67 this season
MAC RANKINGS
• Through this past weekend's games, Kent State holds the best record in the conference and is one of just two teams with a win percentage above .500
• The Golden Flashes lead the MAC in ERA with a 3.31 and all three weekend starters are tied for the most wins with three
• Individually, Zarley Zalewski ranks 9th in batting average, 3rd in runs scored, 9th in total bases, 8th in on-base percentage and 9th in slugging percentage
• Eric Lauer is 2nd in ERA, 1st in innings pitched, 3rd in strikeouts and 4th in opposing batting average
• Dylan Rosa is tied for 6th in doubles and 6th in RBI
• Luke Burch ranks 3rd in the MAC in stolen bases
• Andy Ravel is tied for 4th in innings pitched
• Zach Willeman leads the conference in saves
• Eli Kraus is one of three pitchers in the MAC to record a complete game
