Eastern Michigan Athletics
Sunday, March 20
Oestrike Stadium
2 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
2
vs
5
Michigan
Lee Longo
Photo by: EMU Athletics/Randy Mascharka
Eagles Fall to Wolverines in Oestrike Classic Finale, 5-2
3/20/2011 7:17:30 PM | Baseball
Chaffins went seven strong innings, but it wasn't enough as Michigan prevailed, 5-2, Sunday, March 20.
Box Score
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – In the Inaugural Ron Oestrike Classic finale, the University of Michigan used three seventh inning runs to make up a one run deficit and take a two-run lead that eventually upended the Eastern Michigan University baseball team, 5-2, and claimed them the tournament title at Oestrike Stadium, Sunday, March 20.
The Eagles held a 2-1 lead in the contest before the Wolverines scored three runs in the seventh and added an insurance run in the eighth on their way to a 3-0 record on the weekend. EMU snapped its four-game winning streak and fell to 11-7 on the season with the loss while Michigan improved to 6-12 with the win.
Michigan starter Tim Clark (1-1) turned in an impressive performance against an Eagle squad that had been averaging more than eight runs a game over their last 12. The right-hander went seven and a third innings and allowed just two runs (1 earned) on five hits while walking three. Reliever Ben Ballantine recorded a five-out save in his first opportunity of the season.
Meanwhile, EMU starter Corey Chaffins (New London, Ohio-New London) was effective in his second start of the season, allowing four runs (3 earned) on four hits and struck out seven batters while walking four in seven innings pitched. He took the loss to fall to 3-1 on the year.
The senior managed to hold the Wolverine offense at bay until the seventh inning when his control wavered and an error extended the inning. Chaffins allowed a leadoff single and a walk to the first two hitters of the inning. The third batter attempted a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners into scoring position, but the Eagles couldn't get the out when Zack Leonard (Canton, Ohio-McKinley) mishandled Chaffins' throw to load the bases.
After a popout to Tucker Rubino (Scottsdale, Ariz.-Horizon-Glendale CC) at shortstop, Michigan's Patrick Biondi gave his team the lead with a bases clearing double to left center field. Another Eagle miscue in the eighth made the score 5-2.
Lee Longo (Mayfield, Ohio-Mayfield) was the lone Eagle to record a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Clark and Ballantine prevented the Eagles from putting together any sort of rally to get back in the game and closed it out with their third straight win. The Eagles and Wolverines will meet two more times this season in a home-and-home format. They will play again at Oestrike Stadium March 30, at 5 p.m. before meeting one final time at Michigan, April 20.
EMU will be back in action this Tuesday and Wednesday to take on West Virginia of the Big East Conference. Game one between the Eagles and Mountaineers is slated to begin at 4 p.m. on March 22, followed by game two on March 23, at 2 p.m. EMU will open up Mid-American Conference play next weekend March 25-27, hosting Buffalo in a three-game series at home.
Ron Oestrike Classic All-Tournament Team
Co-MVP
Ken Battiston, EMU
Derek Dennis, MICH
C - Matt Hitt, EMU
1B - Lee Longo, EMU
2B - Todd Dunham, OAK
3B - John Lorenz, MICH
SS - Derek Dennis, MICH
OF - Ken Battiston, EMU
OF - Dan Gliot, OAK
OF - Kyle Henris, ALMA
DH - Mike Carson, OAK
SP - Bobby Brosnahan, MICH
SP - Robert Wendzicki, EMU
RP - Ben Ballantine, MICH
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – In the Inaugural Ron Oestrike Classic finale, the University of Michigan used three seventh inning runs to make up a one run deficit and take a two-run lead that eventually upended the Eastern Michigan University baseball team, 5-2, and claimed them the tournament title at Oestrike Stadium, Sunday, March 20.
The Eagles held a 2-1 lead in the contest before the Wolverines scored three runs in the seventh and added an insurance run in the eighth on their way to a 3-0 record on the weekend. EMU snapped its four-game winning streak and fell to 11-7 on the season with the loss while Michigan improved to 6-12 with the win.
Michigan starter Tim Clark (1-1) turned in an impressive performance against an Eagle squad that had been averaging more than eight runs a game over their last 12. The right-hander went seven and a third innings and allowed just two runs (1 earned) on five hits while walking three. Reliever Ben Ballantine recorded a five-out save in his first opportunity of the season.
Meanwhile, EMU starter Corey Chaffins (New London, Ohio-New London) was effective in his second start of the season, allowing four runs (3 earned) on four hits and struck out seven batters while walking four in seven innings pitched. He took the loss to fall to 3-1 on the year.
The senior managed to hold the Wolverine offense at bay until the seventh inning when his control wavered and an error extended the inning. Chaffins allowed a leadoff single and a walk to the first two hitters of the inning. The third batter attempted a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners into scoring position, but the Eagles couldn't get the out when Zack Leonard (Canton, Ohio-McKinley) mishandled Chaffins' throw to load the bases.
After a popout to Tucker Rubino (Scottsdale, Ariz.-Horizon-Glendale CC) at shortstop, Michigan's Patrick Biondi gave his team the lead with a bases clearing double to left center field. Another Eagle miscue in the eighth made the score 5-2.
Lee Longo (Mayfield, Ohio-Mayfield) was the lone Eagle to record a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Clark and Ballantine prevented the Eagles from putting together any sort of rally to get back in the game and closed it out with their third straight win. The Eagles and Wolverines will meet two more times this season in a home-and-home format. They will play again at Oestrike Stadium March 30, at 5 p.m. before meeting one final time at Michigan, April 20.
EMU will be back in action this Tuesday and Wednesday to take on West Virginia of the Big East Conference. Game one between the Eagles and Mountaineers is slated to begin at 4 p.m. on March 22, followed by game two on March 23, at 2 p.m. EMU will open up Mid-American Conference play next weekend March 25-27, hosting Buffalo in a three-game series at home.
Ron Oestrike Classic All-Tournament Team
Co-MVP
Ken Battiston, EMU
Derek Dennis, MICH
C - Matt Hitt, EMU
1B - Lee Longo, EMU
2B - Todd Dunham, OAK
3B - John Lorenz, MICH
SS - Derek Dennis, MICH
OF - Ken Battiston, EMU
OF - Dan Gliot, OAK
OF - Kyle Henris, ALMA
DH - Mike Carson, OAK
SP - Bobby Brosnahan, MICH
SP - Robert Wendzicki, EMU
RP - Ben Ballantine, MICH
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