Eastern Michigan Athletics
Baseball Set to Meet Georgia State
2/26/2009 2:53:34 PM | Baseball
Eagles prepare for first-ever meeting with GSU.
YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University baseball team (2-4) heads to Atlanta, Ga. this weekend for its first-ever meeting with the Panthers of Georgia State University, who stand at 4-1 this season. Originally scheduled for a Friday through Saturday series, the two teams will play a doubleheader Friday, Feb. 27, at noon and a single game Saturday, Feb. 28, due to impending weather conditions.
Scheduled to start on the mound for EMU in game one is senior Sean Hoffman (Midland, Mich.-Midland), while Adam Knight will get the nod for the Panthers.
FLORIDA RECAP: The Eagles dropped both games against the No. 12 Gators of the University of Florida, as EMU was outscored 29-6 against the Gators. Florida holds a 5-1 all-time record against EMU, as the only Eastern Michigan win occurred March 7, 1985 when the then Hurons registered a 7-6 victory over the Gators.
LOOKING AHEAD: The Eagles look to rebound this weekend when they take on the Georgia State University Panthers for the first time ever. The Panthers go into this weekend with a 4-1 record, having recently registered a 9-5 win at Mercer Wednesday, Feb. 25. Originally scheduled for a weekend series, the two teams will play a doubleheader Friday, Feb. 27, and one game Saturday, Feb. 28, due to impending weather conditions.
COMMON THREADS: The Eagles and Panthers have two common opponents this season, as both teams have games slated against the Cleveland State University Vikings and the Spartans of Michigan State University. The Panthers recently took three out of four games against CSU, their only loss being a 10-inning affair, Feb. 21.
GOING STREAKING: Sophomore third baseman Zack Leonard has hit safely in 12 consecutive games dating back to game one of the Mid-American Conference Tournament last season. Leonard is batting .481 (26-for-54) during the 12-game stretch, recording four doubles, two homers and 15 RBI.
GRAND SALAMI: Freshman Johnny Crooks picked up his first collegiate hit in the big way Wednesday night, Feb. 24, against Florida, as his grand slam in the top of the third inning game EMU a 5-4 lead over the Gators.
MULTITASKING: Junior shortstop Jim Gulliver has registered multi-hit games in four of EMU's six games so far this season, including the first three games of the 2009 season. Gulliver is batting .480 (12-for-25) with two doubles, one triple and four RBI this season.
CONFERENCE TOUR: The Eagles will face opponents from nine different conferences during the regular season, including the Atlantic 10 (George Washington, Dayton), Big South (Winthrop), Summit League (Oakland), Southeastern Conference (Florida), Big Ten (Indiana, Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State), Horizon League (Cleveland State, Wright State), Colonial Athletic Association (Georgia State), Western Athletic Conference (Louisiana Tech) and several Mid-American Conference opponents.
FIRST CAREER WIN: Freshman pitcher Kendall Lewis picked up his first career collegiate win over the weekend against George Washington. Lewis went six innings, yielding four runs on eight hits, fanning three Colonials.
SAVE THE DATE: Originally scheduled for March 24 against the University of Michigan, the EMU baseball team will play its home opener March 18 against the Spartans of Michigan State University. The Spartans are under the tutledge of head coach Jake Boss Jr., who coached EMU to a MAC West Division and MAC Tournament title last season.
IN-STATE COMPETITION: The Eagles face a total of five opponents from the state of Michigan this season, including Oakland (Rochester, Mich.), Michigan State (East Lansing, Mich.), Michigan (Ann Arbor, Mich.), Central Michigan (Mount Pleasant, Mich.) and Western Michigan (Kalamazoo, Mich.). The Eagles have 12 total games against in-state opponents this season.
SEASON OPENERS: EMU's 5-4 season opener victory over George Washington marks the team's first win in its first game of the season since 2006. The Eagles registered a 9-6 victory over East Tennessee State, Feb. 3, 2006, in Johnsonville, Tenn.
2009 NEWCOMERS: The Eagles welcome seven newcomers this season, including Kyle Klein, Austin Grate, Johnny Crooks, Jordan Glover, Kendall Lewis, Brent Ohrman and Steven Young.
OESTRIKE HONORED: Legendary EMU head baseball coach and EMU Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Ron Oestrike was honored at the Class of 2008 Hall of Fame ceremony, Feb. 21. The E-Club honored Oestrike with a Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to the University and the letterwinners club. A special presentation was made to Oestrike, a 1979 EMU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, during the Hall of Fame ceremony.
DEFENDING HOME FIELD: Since Oestrike Stadium opened in 1971, the EMU baseball team has compiled a 443-295-2 (.599) overall mark at home. The EMU Hurons did not disappoint in the first-ever game at Oestrike Stadium, as the team scored seven runs in the first inning and never looked back, claiming a 9-7 victory of the University of Detroit.
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: Jim Gulliver and Mickey Sepanek both have fathers that played baseball at EMU. Jim's father, Glenn Gulliver, played baseball from 1972-76 and was the starting shortstop on two College World Series teams. He was also a first team All-American in 1976 and a first team All-MAC selection that same year. Glenn also played professionally for the Baltimore Orioles from 1981-83 and was inducted into the EMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997. Mickey Sepanek's father, Rob Sepanek, played first base for EMU from 1982-1984 and earned NCAA second team All-American and first team All-MAC accolades in 1984 and was an All-Region selection that same year.
