Seniors Make Oestrike Farewell Memorable

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YPSILANTI, Mich. — Eight Eastern Michigan University seniors made their Oestrike farewell a memorable event. The Eagles, led by a ninth-inning offensive surge, rallied from three runs down to steal an 8-7 win from Oakland University Tuesday, May 13, in the 2008 season finale at Oestrike Stadium. Jeff Davis’ (Avondale, Ariz.-Westview) walk-off single with two outs capped a four-run inning for EMU.

“I am proud of the way they hung in there, fighting until the end,” said first-year head coach Jake Boss Jr. “For the seniors to go out like that, coming together to lead in their last game here, is truly a testament to how hard they work and how much they believe in this team.”

With the win, Eastern Michigan heads into the Mid-American Conference season’s final weekend, at Central Michigan May 15-17, with a 20-30 overall record, and a 14-6 MAC mark, having won three straight. Oakland falls to 14-27 with the loss.

Junior Sean Hoffman (Midland, Mich.-Midland) earned the win Tuesday, pitching a three-up, three-down ninth inning. Hoffman (3-2) was one of eight Eagles to see action on the mound. Offensively, four Eagles recorded two hits. Seniors Steve Bradshaw (Lapeer, Mich.-West) and Davis, junior Kyle Rhoad (Fostoria, Ohio-Elmwood) and true freshman Zack Leonard (Canton, Ohio-McKinley) each had at least one RBI against Oakland game in addition to their multi-hit performances at the plate.

After senior Dan Puls (Alpena, Mich.-Alpena) made quick work of Oakland in the first inning, Bradshaw put the Eagles up 2-0 in the bottom half, smashing the first pitch from Jeff Gorecki over the left-field wall for his fourth home run of the year.

The Eagles added one more in the bottom of the second, increasing their lead to 3-0. After Matt Skirving (Midland, Mich.-H.H. Dow) and Aaron Crooks (Toledo, Ohio-Ottawa Hills) both walked, Rhoad roped a double to left field, driving in the first of his two RBI on the day.

Oakland tied the game with a three-run fifth inning, and eventually took the lead an inning later, roughing up Bobby Henderson (Milford, Mich.-Detroit Catholic Central) for three runs.

The Grizzlies added one more in the top half of the eighth frame off an Andrew Stafford single to left, driving in Justin Wilson to bring the score to 7-3.

The Green and White cut the OU lead to 7-4 in the bottom of the eighth with Davis scoring on a Josh Ivan (Belleville, Mich.-Belleville) single to center field.

After Hoffman retired all three batters he faced in the Oakland ninth, junior Aaron Powell (Clarkston, Mich.-Clarkston) started the rally off with a walk. Junior Todd Graves (St. Mary’s, Ohio-St. Mary’s) pinch-hit single to center field put two Eagles on base with just one out. Rhoad’s single RBI base hit, a single through the left side, drove in Powell, cutting the deficit to 7-5. Leonard then singled to left center, driving in Ken Battiston (West Milton, Ohio-Milton Union), who had pinch ran for Graves. Bradshaw’s groundout to second scored Rhoad and advanced Leonard to second, setting the stage for one last at bat in Oestrike for Davis.

With two outs and one on, Davis drilled a 2-2 fastball up the middle. As Leonard rounded third, Keith Kampe fired home from center, coming up just short as Leonard slid behind catcher Ryan Waldhart to complete the comeback win.

The Eagles carry a three-game winning streak into their regular-season series finale in Mount Pleasant, Mich. against West Division rival Central Michigan University. The Eagles and Chippewas begin their three-game series Thursday, May 15, at 3 p.m.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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