Eagles Fall in Series Finale with NIU, 3-1

Re-Listen to the Game.

YPSILANTI, Mich (EMUEagles.com)— A beautiful Sunday afternoon was spoiled by a 3-1 Eastern Michigan University setback to Northern Illinois University, April 29, at Oestrike Stadium. The Eagles (19-23; 10-8 MAC) nearly made up a two-run deficit against the Huskies (13-30; 7-11 MAC) after loading the bases in the ninth, but ultimately fell short to drop their second consecutive Mid-American Conference series.

Despite taking the loss, Ryan Lavoie (3-2) posted a quality start for the Eagles, going 7.1 innings and giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits. The freshman righty needed less than 70 pitches to make it through the first six innings and finished the day tossing a total of 76. He struck out four and did not issue a walk.

Tony Manville (2-6) was just as sharp for the Huskies in a winning bid. He allowed only one earned run on seven hits over 7.1 innings. Manville walked a pair and fanned five. Kyle Glancy worked a turbulent 1.2 innings in which he walked two and hit a batter, but still managed to earn his 10th save of the year.

Ben Magsig went 1-for-4 with his second triple of the season and drove in the lone EMU run. His three-bagger was the 20th this season for the Eagles. The senior infielder also drew his 39th walk of 2012 and 106th in his career to tie him with Tony Palazzolo (2000-03) for seventh on the EMU all-time career walks list.

Lee Longo put together a nice afternoon at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance. Adam Dennison was 1-for-4 to give the redshirt freshman catcher a hit in every game of the series. He also scored a run.

Sam Ott (0-for-2) reached base twice with a pair of walks and Daniel Russell (1-for-3) also drew a base on balls.

NIU's Jamison Wells (2-for-3) posted another multiple-hit game at the top of the lineup and added an RBI and a run scored. Jordan Huffman had the other Huskies' RBI in a 1-for-3 afternoon and Joe Battaglia was 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored.

Russell notched the game's first hit in the second inning when he used a perfectly placed bunt down the third base line to reach first. He advanced to third on a bloop single by Longo, but did not end up scoring.

Lavoie started the game on a tear, sending down the first nine batters he faced in just 26 pitches. Williams and Lavoie combined for a fine defensive play to end the third inning. The EMU second baseman scooped up a ground ball, spun around and threw a strike over to Lavoie covering first base to retire Alex Beckmann.

It took until the sixth inning before the first runs were scored. Battaglia started off the frame with a double down the left field line. Then on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Wells, Lavoie sailed a throw to first base over the head of Longo, allowing Battaglia to score from second. A sharp single by Huffman then plated Wells and gave NIU a 2-0 advantage.

The Huskies tacked on another run in the top of the eighth on a trio of singles and an RBI knock by Wells. Jordan Glover came into the game in relief of Lavoie and recorded the final two outs to keep the NIU lead at 3-0.

Magsig got the Eagles on the board in the bottom of that frame when he cranked a three-base hit to straightaway centerfield. Dennison, who singled to lead off the inning, came in to score to make it a 3-1 contest.

The Green and White made Glancy work for his save in the bottom of the ninth. Russell drew a walk and Longo was hit by a pitch to lead off. Bo Kinder then used a pinch-hit sacrifice bunt to move Russell and Longo up to second and third.

After Dennison swung at strike three for the second out, Magsig reached base on balls to load the bases for Brent Ohrman. Ohrman sent a bouncing ball up the middle, but second baseman Alex Klonowski was there to flip over to first to seal a series defeat for EMU.

The Eagles continue their seven-game homestand Tuesday, May 1, when they host Hillsdale College. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m.

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Team Stats

Lee Longo

Ben Magsig

Brent Ohrman

Daniel Russell

Eastern Michigan Athletics