Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Ball State
Eagles Hit the Road for Three-Game Set at Ball State
4/29/2010 12:55:19 PM | Baseball
EMU heads to Muncie for a key MAC West series versus the Cardinals, April 30-May 2
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Currently one game back in the Mid-American Conference West Division, the Eastern Michigan University baseball team (21-21, 10-5 MAC) sets its sight to the Hoosier State this weekend, April 30-May 2, for a key series versus MAC West co-leader Ball State University (20-21, 11-4 MAC). Game one is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Ball Diamond, while games two and three are both slated for 1 p.m.
PITCHING PROBABLES: In game one, junior right-handed pitcher Corey Chaffins will start opposite BSU's Perci Gardner. In game two, sophomore left-handed pitcher Collin Taylor will get the nod versus Cal Bowling. In the series finale, sophomore right-hander Kendall Lewis will start opposite the Cardinals' Kolbrin Vitek.
EMU VERSUS BALL STATE: Friday's contest marks the 130th meeting between the Eagles and Cardinals, with EMU holding a 68-60-1 record all-time versus Ball State. Last season, the Eagles took two out of three from the Cardinals at Oestrike Stadium before topping No. 2 seeded Ball State, 19-16, in the first round of the MAC Tournament in Chillicothe, Ohio. All three regular season meetings between EMU and BSU were decided by one run. In the series opener, May 1, last season, junior Corey Chaffins tallied a career-high 14 strikeouts en route to MAC West Pitcher of the Week accolades.
THE COACHES: EMU Head Coach Jay Alexander enters Friday's game with a 207-204 career record, including a 46-54 mark in his second season with the Eagles. Ball State's Greg Beals enters Friday's game with a 234-194 record.
HOME SWEET HOME: The Eagles have only four home games remaining this season. The Eagles take on instate rival Oakland University, May 12, at Oestrike Stadium. The Eagles play their final three games of the season at Oestrike Stadium, May 12-14, when they take on the University of Toledo.
ON THE HILL: The EMU pitching staff has been stellar over the past five games, as the hurlers have combined for a 2.94 ERA in the last 46 innings pitched. The EMU pitching staff has tallied 36 strikeouts and only 11 walks during the stretch, while limiting opponents to a .219 clip at the plate.
GOING THE DISTANCE…AND MORE: Sophomore Kendall Lewis garnered four national awards this week after his 11-inning complete game shutout versus Western Michigan, April 24, at Oestrike Stadium. On Monday, Lewis was named a “Louisville Slugger” National Player of the Week. Tuesday, he was named the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association National Pitcher of the Week. On Wednesday, Lewis was named to the Collegiate Baseball Foundation National All-Star Lineup, as well as the College Baseball Insider Central Region Pitcher of the Week. Lewis also garnered MAC West Pitcher of the Week accolades. The Huntsville, Ohio native gave up three hits and one walk over 11 innings, striking out a career-high 10 batters. His 11-inning outing is the longest by any pitcher in the nation this season.
FLASHBACK: Last year, the EMU pitching staff finished the year with only one complete game, which was a seven inning complete game from senior Steve Young. This season, the Eagles have already tallied five complete games, four of which have been done by junior ace Corey Chaffins. Kendall Lewis notched the Eagles' fifth of the season last week, April 24, in his 11-inning complete game shutout versus Western Michigan.
FRESHMEN IN THE PEN: Freshman hurlers Joe Battistelli, Neil Butara, Taylor Dimmerling and Brett Cisper have been solid in their first year at EMU. They have combined to go 6-2 on the year with eight saves in 47 combined appearances. They have combined for 57 strikeouts in 75.2 innings pitched this season.
