The Ohio baseball team has won three straight games for the first time this season and will attempt to improve upon that mark this weekend when the Bobcats play host to conference rival Eastern Michigan.

“The kids went out and played hard,” coach Joe Carbone said. “We still have our growing pains. We still struggle from doing things. ... But we play hard, and we’re learning the game.”

After losing five in a row, the Bobcats (11-14, 4-5 Mid-American Conference) have roared back to take their first MAC series win of the season from West Division leader Ball State this past weekend and won again earlier this week in dramatic fashion against non-conference foe West Virginia (25-8).

“It’s big any time (we win), especially against this quality of competition,” outfielder Willie Walker said.

Catcher Chris Klimko emphasized the importance of the team’s 7-6 come-from-behind win over West Virginia.

“It’s going to benefit us a lot going into this weekend,” Klimko said. “Hopefully we can just keep rolling, keep it going.”

Reliever Dan Weiss also highlighted the importance of the team’s first conference series victory last weekend at Ball State.

“Everyone played real solid, and it’s definitely a confidence booster for (the games with) Eastern Michigan this weekend.”

Thus far the Eagles (14-15, 5-4 MAC) and Bobcats have shared two opponents being West Virginia and Michigan State. The Eagles were swept earlier this season at West Virginia and suffered a 6-3 defeat at Michigan State.

Ohio boasts an impressive win against the Mountaineers and split its four-game series with the Spartans.

Coming off three impressive victories, the Bobcats have an opportunity to gain some more ground in the East Division standings this week as the team plays host to the Eagles. Ohio is tied with Miami for third place in the East, two games behind division-leader Kent State and one game behind Bowling Green.

Ohio’s weekend series with Eastern Michigan begins 6 p.m. today at Bob Wren Stadium.