Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Northern Illinois
Eagles Fall, 3-2, at Northern Illinois
5/8/2010 4:58:48 PM | Baseball
Lewis strikes out eight, but earns a no decision
Box score
DEKALB, Ill. (EMUEagles.com) – A two-run bottom of the eighth inning proved to be too much for the Eastern Michigan University baseball team to overcome Saturday afternoon, May 8, as the Northern Illinois University Huskies edged the Eagles, 3-2, at Ralph McKinzie Field in a Mid-American Conference West Division tilt.
EMU drops to 23-24 (12-8 MAC) with the loss, while NIU improves to 19-26 (9-11 MAC) with the win.
Sophomore right-hander Kendall Lewis (Huntsville, Ohio-Indian Lake) had another impressive performance on the mound, but earned a no decision to remain unbeaten in MAC play. Lewis went seven innings, giving up one run on five hits and five walks, while striking out eight Huskies.
Junior Zack Leonard (Canton, Ohio-McKinley) and sophomore Wally Gerbus (Fairfield, Ohio-Stephen T. Baden) both homered for the Eagles in the loss, both solo round-trippers, while senior Todd Graves (St. Marys, Ohio-St. Marys Memorial) finished with two hits.
Up one run in the bottom of the eighth, the Eagles let the lead slip away, as a one-out two-run single by Frantini off freshman hurler Steve Weber (North Royalton, Ohio-North Royalton) made the difference down the stretch, giving the Huskies a 3-2 advantage, one they would not relinquish in the final inning of play.
Tomorrow's rubber-match is set for 1:05 p.m. (CST) at Ralph McKinzie Field. Sophomore southpaw Collin Taylor (Cincinnati, Ohio-Lakota West) will get the nod on the hill for the Eagles.
