Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Toledo
Baseball Splits Doubleheader Against Toledo
5/14/2006 9:11:08 PM | Baseball
TOLEDO, Ohio - Sophomore Josh Ivan increased his league-leading hit streak to 22 games as the Eastern Michigan University baseball team split a doubleheader against the University of Toledo, 11-1 and 9-5 here Sunday afternoon at Scott Park. The victory snapped a three-game Eagle losing streak dating back to May 6.
In game one, EMU 27-22 (14-9 MAC) was clinging to a 1-0 lead until the eighth inning in which the Eagles sent 13 batters to the plate scoring 10 runs to blow the game open. Eagle ace Jeff Fischer (9-3) had another impressive performance on the mound tallying nine strikeouts with five scattered hits allowing only one run and a walk in 7.2 innings of work. Sophomore Steve Bradshaw led the Eagles offensively going 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBI, two runs scored and his third home run of the season.
Sophomore Drew Hoisington went 2-for-4 with one RBI to lead Toledo (22-25, 8-15 MAC) while pitcher Levi Curry picked up his first loss of the season going seven innings with three strikeouts.
Eastern got on the board first in the top of the fifth inning on an Ivan single to left center that UT right fielder Joel Visser misplayed allowing Isaiah Gainforth to score for a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the eighth inning, EMU tacked on 10 runs on three hits to take a commanding 11-0 lead highlighted by two three-run home runs by freshman Aaron Powell and Bradshaw. The Eagles were aided by five walks and a pair of Toledo errors. UT added a run in the bottom of the frame to avoid the shutout but it was not enough as Eagle relief pitchers Matt Dillard and Dan Puls closed out the Rockets in the ninth for the victory.
In the nightcap, EMU tied the game at 5-5 in the top of the eighth but could not hold on as costly miscues allowed Toledo to plate four runs in the bottom of the frame to take 9-5 lead en route to the victory. The Eagles were led by junior Derek Lehrman who went 2-for-3 with one RBI and a run scored. Junior George Biddle picked up the loss in a relief role going 6.0 innings with three strikeouts while allowing two runs with one unearned.
EMU opened the game with a 1-0 advantage courtesy of a Lehrman double down the left field line which scored Bradshaw. In the bottom of the frame, Toledo responded and took advantage of two walks and a hit batsman to plate three runs on a double and single for a 3-1 lead.
The Rockets added a pair of runs in the bottom of the second on three hits to take a 5-1 advantage.
The Eagles closed the gap to 5-3 with a run in the top of the fourth on a Trumaine Riley sacrifice fly to score Matt Moffett and another run in the sixth courtesy of a Powell single also plating Moffett.
Riley reached on a throwing error by the shortstop which allowed Kyle Rhoad and Bradshaw to score tying the score, 5-5, in the top of the eighth inning. However, with one out in the bottom of the frame, Toledo got the bases loaded with a single, a EMU wild pitch and two intentional walks. With EMU’s infield in to setup a force out at any base, Visser hit a chopper up the middle that Ivan bobbled as he attempted to throw home and cut down the runner at the plate. Consequently, his toss sailed high and allowed a pair of runners to score. Toledo went on to add another two runs on a wild pitch and fielder’s choice to snap its seven-game conference losing streak.
EMU will conclude the regular season with a weekend series against intra-state rival Western Michigan University. The game one first pitch is slated for Thursday, May 18 at 7:06 p.m. and will be televised on Comcast Local.
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