The Flashes will compete in their second Mid-American Conference series of the 2012 season as they travel to Muncie, Ind.

Last weekend, the 11-12 Flashes baseball team completed a three-game sweep of Northern Illinois in their first home series of the season to put them up 3-0 in conference play.

Kent State is coming off two tough losses this week, falling 4-3 in 12 innings to Toledo Tuesday and 6-5 to Pittsburgh Wednesday.

Coach Scott Stricklin said he feels the team should have won the last two games, but he said he likes the way things are coming along.

“I was a bit disappointed with those games,” Stricklin said. “On Tuesday, our starting pitcher was excellent, and on Wednesday, we fought our way back into the game. It could’ve gone better, but I feel the team is making some strides.”

Stricklin said he believes his team will be prepared and well-rested when they take on the Ball State Cardinals (4-16, 1-2 MAC).

“We’ve made a lot of improvements, both offensively and defensively,” Stricklin said. “I think we’re over our jet lag, so that won’t affect us the way it did last week. It’s just all about staying focused and ready to compete.”

The Cardinals have lost nine of their last 10 games and dropped two out of three games against Akron in their first MAC series last weekend. Ball State lost 14-3 in its home opener against Indiana State on Wednesday.

The Flashes and the Cardinals face each other for the first time since 2009, when the two teams split a weekend series. Kent State leads the all-time series 54-46.

David Starn, a senior left-handed pitcher, will start for the Flashes in the series opener Friday. Starn, who was named MAC Pitcher of the Week for last week, tallied a season-high 11 strikeouts in a 12-6 victory over Northern Illinois March 23. He holds a record of 4-2 with a 1.99 ERA and a team-leading 42 strikeouts.

Stricklin said he expects nothing less than another solid outing from Starn.

“That’s what he’s been doing for us all year,” Stricklin said. “He’s been around, and he knows how to go out there and just get it done.”

Ryan Bores, junior right-handed pitcher, who is coming off his best start of the year, is scheduled to start the game Saturday. Bores allowed just one run on three hits and struck out a career-high nine batters in the Flashes’ 6-1 win over the Huskies March 24.

Sophomore Tyler Skulina will likely get the nod in Sunday’s series finale. Skulina is 2-2 this season with a 3.00 ERA and ranks second on the team in strikeouts with 33.

Game one begins Friday afternoon at 3 p.m, with Saturday and Sunday’s games both starting at 1 p.m.

Contact Tim Dorst at [email protected].