Baseball Nipped by Michigan, 8-6

Box Score

YPSILANTI, Mich. – After a hour and 50 minute rain delay, the Eastern Michigan University baseball team put forth a valiant effort rallying from a 8-0 deficit but it was not enough as the Eagles fell, 8-6, to cross-town rival Michigan in non-conference action here Wednesday night at Oestrike Stadium.

Junior Mike Boyd led the way for EMU going 2-for-2 at the plate with four RBI, a run scored, double and a grand home run that ignited the Eagles’ rally. Freshman Aaron Crooks also hit 2-for-5 while sophomore Kyle Rhoad went 1-for-3 with a run scored to round out EMU’s five total hits. Senior Matt Dimich (0-1) picked up the loss going 3.1 inning allowing three runs on four hits.

The battle of first place teams from the Big Ten Conference and Mid-American Conference began in favor of Michigan as the Wolverines jumped out to an 8-0 lead with EMU coming to bat in the bottom of the sixth inning. A U-M error, Rhoad single and Todd Graves walk loaded the bases for the Eagles. Boyd stepped up and belted his fourth home run of the season over the left center field fence to cut Michigan’s lead at half, 8-4.

After a scoreless seventh inning, EMU loaded the bases on two walks and a hit batter with only one out in the bottom of the eighth. Senior Patrick Dean was unable to drive in any runs but junior Josh Ivan scored on wild pitch to cut the lead to 8-5. Senior Derek Lehrman got U-M out of the inning flying out to left field with runners on second on third.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, EMU got runners on first and second with one out. After Steve Bradshaw was thrown out on a fielder’s choice, Ivan reached on an error by the third baseman moving Crooks to third while sophomore Aaron Powell scored to bring the Eagles within two, 8-6. With tow outs, senior Trumaine Riley stepped to the plate as the potential winning run but struck out looking to preserve the U-M victory.

Freshman Jeff DeCarlo picked up the win for U-M allowing only one hit with two strikeouts in 3.0 innings of work. The Wolverines were led offensively by Derek VanVuskirk who went 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored.

The rain delay did not seem to cool the Wolverine offense as they struck first in the second inning. Following a groundout to lead of the inning, VanVuskirk singled to center and then stole second base to get into scoring position. Two batters later VanVuskirk came home on a Kevin Cislo line drive up the middle to score the first run of the contest.

In the following frame, U-M tacked on another run via an Eric Rose walk followed by consecutive stolen bases to reach third. A sacrifice fly though plated the runner to push the Wolverine edge to 2-0. The fourth inning continued the Michigan scoring via aggressive base running with another sac fly to push the score to 3-0.

Michigan took its commanding 8-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning getting five runs on three hits highlighted by a three-run home run by VanVuskirk.

EMU resumes conference play with a three-game series against Toledo at Oestrike Stadium. Game one first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, May 11.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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