Eagles Roll to First Win, 11-2

Box Score

XENIA, Ohio — The Eastern Michigan University baseball team, powered by 13 hits and 11 runs, recorded their first win of the 2008 season today, March 16, 11-2 over the Wright State University Raiders here at the Athletes in Action Complex in Xenia, Ohio.

Making his first start this season for the Green and White was junior Matt Shoemaker, working eight innings, allowing eight hits and two earned runs while recording a career-high nine strikeouts. Senior Steve Bradshaw capped off a stellar weekend series, going 3-for-5 scoring four runs on the day and was just a home run shy of hitting for the cycle.

“Shoemaker was outstanding in his first start coming off an injury,” said first-year head coach Jake Boss Jr. “Todd [Graves] also had a big day, his grand slam really helped seal the win for us. We pitched well on the and had good defensive play all-around.

For the third straight game, the Eagles scored in the top half of the first inning. Kyle Rhoad singled and stole second before advancing to third on a Zack Leonard single to center field. Todd Graves drew a walk next for EMU, loading the bases with just one out. Jeff Davis’ sacrifice fly to center field allowed Rhoad to score before Rylan Ostrosky was able to work his way out of the jam, getting Josh Ivan to grounding out to end the inning.

WSU answered in the bottom half of the first, tying the game on at 1-1 off a Jeremy Hamilton single that drove in R.J. Gundolff.

The Eagles regained the lead 3-1 after a two-run third. Graves’ sacrifice fly to left field platted Leonard, who had reached on a single to start the inning. Davis’ sacrifice fly, the second of the inning for the Green and White, brought in Bradshaw.

The Raiders cut the deficit to 3-2 with a run in the bottom of the fourth, but the Eagles rallied to score one in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Davis picked up his second sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth, allowing Bradshaw, who led the inning off with a triple, to score. In the sixth, Andrew Marshall doubled to left center, driving in Mike Boyd who walked to led off the inning. Bradshaw led off the seventh with single up the middle and was driven in by Ivan’s single through the right side, giving EMU a 6-2 advantage.

Back-to-back singles from Boyd and Marshall followed by a Rhoad walk loaded the bases for the Green and White in the eighth. With the bases loaded, Graves launched a 2-1 pitch over the left field wall for a grand slam. He finished the day with a career-high five RBI.

The Eagles return for an eight-game home stand, starting Tuesday, March 18, against Grand Valley State. First pitch in the home opener is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start. EMU will then host Saginaw Valley on Tuesday before opening up Mid-American Conference action, hosting the Golden Flashes of Kent State University March 21-23.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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