Eastern Michigan Athletics
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Western Michigan
Eagles Claim 1-0 Victory Over Broncos in Series Finale
4/24/2010 4:06:48 PM | Baseball
Eagles go 10 innings without a hit, but come up big in the bottom of the 11th to win the game
Box score
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – A pitcher's duel between Eastern Michigan University right hander Kendall Lewis (Huntsville, Ohio-Indian Lake) and Western Michigan University's Eric Heckaman ended in the Eagles' favor Saturday afternoon, April 24, at Oestrike Stadium, as EMU claimed a 1-0 victory over the Broncos in 11 innings.
Despite taking the loss for WMU, Heckaman was simply unhittable for 10 innings, until an Aaron Crooks (Toledo, Ohio-Ottawa Hills) single up the middle in the bottom of the 11th with no outs forced Western Michigan Head Coach Randy Ford to take the junior right hander out of the game after 145 pitches.
After a walk to freshman Daniel Russell (Grandville, Mich.-Grandville) by WMU reliever Tim Mowry put runners on first and second with one out, the Eagles put the first, last, and only run of the game on the scoreboard, as sophomore Brent Ohrman (Adrian, Mich.-Adrian) hit a ground ball to WMU third baseman Grant Simotes, who tossed the ball to second baseman Zach Thoma to turn the double play. However, Thoma's throw flew over the head of first baseman Chris Lewis, allowing Crooks to round third and score the game winning run, giving the Eagles the victory and the series.
Lewis pitched EMU's longest outing of the season to earn the win and improve his record to 5-2 this season, as he went all 11 innings, giving up just three hits and only one walk, while fanning a career-high 10 batters. It marked Lewis' first career complete game, as he finished the contest with 138 pitches.
Heckaman (0-6) took the loss for the Broncos, going 10 innings, giving up one hit and three walks, while fanning seven Eagles.
The Eagles left five runners on base in the win, while the Broncos left four in the loss.
Western Michigan's Kyle Galbraith led all hitters with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate.
The Eagles (21-19, 10-5 MAC) improve to 2-0 this season in extra inning games and have now won eight out of their last nine MAC three-game sets dating back to last season. The Broncos fall to 10-29 and 4-11 in Mid-American Conference play with the loss.
EMU threatened to put the first run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third, as an intentional walk to junior Matt Skirving (Midland, Mich.-H.H. Dow) loaded the bases for senior Todd Graves (St. Marys, Ohio-St. Marys Memorial). However, the Eagles were unable to cash in, and the game remained a scoreless tie.
The Eagles are back in action this upcoming week for a home-and-home series with the Michigan State University Spartans. EMU and MSU will meet Tuesday, April 27, at 7 p.m. at Oestrike Stadium, before playing Wednesday, April 28, at Olds Park in Lansing, Mich. at 7:05 p.m.
