Baseball Home Opener Moved to Wednesday

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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University Head Baseball Coach Jay Alexander has announced the team will play its home opener Wednesday, March 17, when the Eagles take on the Michigan State University Spartans at 5 p.m. at Oestrike Stadium.

EMU (5-9) and MSU (8-4) were scheduled to play last week, March 12, in Jacksonville, Ala., but untimely weather forced the cancellation.

EMU VERSUS MICHIGAN STATE: The Spartans hold a 66-53-1 all-time mark versus the Eagles, but in their last meeting, EMU came away with a 6-1 win on April 29, 2009. The Eagles and Spartans meet two more times this season, with the next meeting coming April 27 at Oestrike Stadium. A day later, the two teams will play a 7:05 p.m. game at Oldsmobile Park in Lansing, Mich.

COMMON THREADS: Current Michigan State Head Coach Jake Boss Jr. coached the Eagles during the 2008 season, leading EMU to the MAC Tournament title and the program's first NCAA Regional bid since the 2003 season. EMU and MSU have nine common opponents scheduled this season.

THE COACHES: EMU Head Coach Jay Alexander enters Wednesday's contest with a 191-192 career record, including a 30-44 mark in two seasons with the Eagles. Second-year Michigan State Head Coach Jake Boss Jr. enters Wednesday's game with a 56-69 career record.

AWARD WINNING EAGLES: Juniors Corey Chaffins and Zack Leonard have both been honored by the Mid-American Conference this season, with Chaffins earning MAC West Pitcher of the Week accolades, March 2, along with being named a CollegeBaseball360.com “Weekly Primetime Performer” after a stellar outing against No. 25 ranked Kansas, Feb. 22. Leonard was named the MAC West Player of the Week, March 11, after going 11-for-23 (.478) at the dish with five doubles and one home run to go along with four runs scored and 12 RBI in five games that week.

GOING STREAKING: Senior infielder Aaron Crooks is currently riding a team and career-best 10-game hitting streak, dating back to EMU's 10-8 win over North Florida, Feb. 28, in Mobile, Ala.

MULTI-TASKING: Junior Ken Battiston has tallied a nine multiple hit games this season after missing all of last year with a torn ACL. Battiston has notched seven games with two hits and two games with three hits.

RBI MACHINE: Junior Zack Leonard has been on a tear driving in runners so far this season, as he leads the team with 22 RBI. Leonard has tallied four multiple RBI games this season, including three in which the Canton, Ohio native has drove in five runs. Leonard has tallied a team-best nine hits with runners in scoring position this season.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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