Preview: RedHawks face Chippewas in MAC tilt

The Miami University RedHawks (26-13, 14-7 in conference play) host the Central Michigan University Chippewas (17-20, 9-12 in conference play) in a crucial Mid-American Conference (MAC) series at McKie Field on April 24-26.

The RedHawks are currently tied for second place in the MAC standings and the Chippewas sit at seventh. CMU is currently out of the MAC tournament, which is played among the top six teams in the standings.

Miami is coming off a 2-1 series win over the University of Toledo Rockets and have won five of its last six games. The projected starters for the weekend series are senior Zac Sohosky, senior Clayton Burke and senior Troy Benko. Sohosky is coming off a strong eight inning performance against the Rockets.

CMU is trying to keep its recent momentum, having won its last three MAC series, including a 2-1 series win over the Ohio University Bobcats. Projected starters are senior Tyson Potts, senior Hayden Bailey and junior Gavin Moczydlowsky.

At the plate, the Chippewas are led by junior Harrison Bowman who leads the team in home runs and runs batted in, with nine and 40 respectively. Junior Bryson Webb currently carries a .347 batting average.

Miami’s offense is among the best in the conference. The team is batting a .301 average which is currently first in the conference. Junior Tommy Harrison holds a .414 average, good for No. 10 in the nation and No. 2 in the MAC. Harrison has also belted 10 home runs, second on the team to senior Evan Appelwick, who has launched 11.

The RedHawks will look to continue taking advantage of their speed on the base paths. The team has swiped 73 bases, good for third in the conference. Junior Marcus Dierks paces the RedHawks in this stat with 28 stolen bases, placing him eighth in the nation.

This series is pivotal for both teams. For Miami, it looks to continue its push toward a MAC championship, which would be its second in a row. The team is currently one game behind Kent State University.

For CMU, it needs to make up ground to qualify for the MAC championship. The team sits four games behind Toledo and will need to jump into the top six to qualify for the tournament.

The game times are set for 3 p.m. on Friday and 1 p.m. for Saturday and Sunday’s contests.

jollifvm@miamioh.edu