Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, March 8
Cincinnati Ohio
4 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
Cincinnati
Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography
Eagles and Bearcats Square Off in "Queen City", March 8-10
3/7/2013 4:18:00 PM | Baseball
EMU and Cincinnati last met in 1983
Complete Release (.pdf)
EAGLES SET TO BATTLE BEARCATS IN “QUEEN CITY”: The Eastern Michigan University baseball team travels to Cincinnati, Ohio to take on the University of Cincinnati in a three-game series Friday-Sunday, March 8-10. Game times are scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday, and 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Marge Schott Stadium.
The Eagles come into the series with a 3-9 record following a pair of losses against Missouri, March 6, while the Bearcats have won four in-a-row and own a 4-5 mark on the year.
A SERIES 30 YEARS IN THE MAKING: EMU and Cincinnati have not met on the diamond since 1983, when the two squads split a doubleheader, April 24, under legendary Head Coach Ron Oestrike (1965-87). In six all-time meetings, the two squads have split three games apiece.
The Eagles also crossed paths with the Bearcats, April 4, 1976, when the Green and White swept a doubleheader by scores of 4-0 and 11-0. That year, the Eagles went on to a sizzling 46-16 record with a MAC Championship, an NCAA regional championship and a runner-up performance at the College World Series.
COLD SPELL IN MISSOURI: With temperatures in the mid-30s, the Eastern Michigan offense was equally as frigid Wednesday, March 6, when Missouri swept a doubleheader by scores of 1-0 and 7-1. The Eagles mustered six hits on the afternoon and did not score until Austin Williams registered an RBI-groundout in the final inning of game two. Both contests were shortened to seven-inning games due to the cold.
Despite losing the opening game, the Eagles got a stellar starting performance out of Brian Valente (0-1), who registered a complete game (six innings) of one-run, three-hit baseball.
THE GUYS THAT GET IT DONE: The middle of EMU's lineup has made the lives of opposing pitchers miserable so far this season, as hitters three through five produced at a .361 clip and accounted for 20 RBI and nine extra base hits prior to the two games at Missouri. Most of these offensive contributions have come from Sam Ott (.311 batting average), Lee Longo (.326) and Adam Sonabend (.395). Not to be forgotten, Jamie Simpson has been tearing it up in the No. 6 spot with a .308 batting average which includes a double, two triples and a homer.
BUTARA FINDS IT VERSUS KANSAS: After starting the year 0-2, senior starter Neil Butara (1-2) notched his first victory of 2013 in EMU's 6-4 win against Kansas, March 1. Butara kept Jayhawks hitters off balance for seven innings, scattering seven hits and giving up one earned run with five strikeouts.
THE KID'S GOT POWER: Freshman infielder Mitchell McGeein launched his second homer of the season, a two-run shot, in the fifth inning of EMU's 11-6 victory against Kansas, March 3. McGeein has provided half of Eastern Michigan's home runs this year, with Sam Ott and Jamie Simpson as the only other players to have one.
BATTISTELLI RACKING UP THE SAVES: Senior hurler Joe Battistelli notched his 13th-career save and second of the season in a 6-4 win against Kansas, March 1. Battistelli moved into third place all-time in EMU history with his 12th save in a 10-6 win over Campbell, Feb. 15. He surpassed Ross Winiemko's mark of 11 saves from 2001-03 for sole possession of third place. Steve Herbst (1992-95) had the most saves (23) of any Eagles' pitcher from 1992-95. The Allen Park Mich. native is now just one save shy of Matt Shoemaker, who posted 14 from 2007-08.
CLUTCH NUMBERS: Head Coach Jay Alexander's club is quickly building a killer instinct at the plate. EMU is batting .389 with runners on third and less than two out. In two-out situations, the Eagles are batting .291 (39-for-134). Adam Sonabend and Sam Ott both lead the way with seven two-out knocks, while Lee Longo has six and Jamie Simpson has five.
NEW FACES MAKING AN IMPACT: Through 12 games this season, Head Coach Jay Alexander has used 10 players either in their freshman season or competing for the first time in an EMU uniform. Among those players was senior Brian Hill made his first appearance on the hill, Feb. 23, after transferring to EMU for the 2011 season. Freshman Mitchell McGeein has two home runs so far this season and newcomer Nick Rotola has an RBI .
THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT: As a staff, EMU pitchers have combined to hit 24 batters with arrant pitches this season. Eight opposing batters have been plunked by EMU starters, while the remaining 16 have been grazed and stung by relievers.
CONTINUING THE TRIPLE TREND: EMU was among the top teams in the nation with 21 triples in 2012. The Eagles' knack for hitting the three-bagger has continued this year, as the squad ranked 28th nationally with five according to the NCAA statistics for the week of March 5. Daniel Russell recorded his first triple of the year and the 12th of his career against the Cougars to move him into seventh place in EMU history.
OESTRIKE CLASSIC BACK ON FOR 2013: EMU baseball will once again host the Oestrike Classic, March 15-17, to kick off an action-packed 22-game home slate. Butler and Northern Kentucky will also participate in this year's weekend-long tournament. The Eagles will take on the Norse at 1 p.m. Friday and the Bulldogs at 5 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday, EMU will face both squads at noon and 4 p.m.
In 2012, the Eagles went 12-6 at Oestrike Stadium and look to dominate once again in their home ballpark, where they have recorded a winning record in 39-of-41 years.
EAGLES AND JAYHAWKS SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE: Eastern Michigan and Kansas played to a 2-2 series draw over the weekend, March 1-3, at QuikTrip Park in Grand Prairie, Texas. The Eagles won the opener and the finale by scores of 6-4 and 11-6, respectively, while the Jayhawks got the better of EMU in a Saturday doubleheader, 5-4 (10 innings) and 8-0. The series was close in several categories including: runs scored (23-21 KU), hits (40-37 KU), strikeouts (28-27 EMU) and walks (16-15 KU). Despite a rash of hit batters and wild pitches from both pitching staffs, the two clubs combined to commit only three errors the entire weekend.
EMU HOSTS “KNOCK AUTISM OUT OF THE PARK”: Eastern Michigan University along with Alpha Xi Delta are proud to present “Knock Autism Out of The Park” Wednesday, March 20, when the Eagles host the University of Michigan at Oestrike Stadium.
The Eagles and Wolverines hope to raise awareness about this disease that is estimated to affect 1-in-88 children and 1-in-54 boys.
EAGLES SET TO BATTLE BEARCATS IN “QUEEN CITY”: The Eastern Michigan University baseball team travels to Cincinnati, Ohio to take on the University of Cincinnati in a three-game series Friday-Sunday, March 8-10. Game times are scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday, and 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Marge Schott Stadium.
The Eagles come into the series with a 3-9 record following a pair of losses against Missouri, March 6, while the Bearcats have won four in-a-row and own a 4-5 mark on the year.
A SERIES 30 YEARS IN THE MAKING: EMU and Cincinnati have not met on the diamond since 1983, when the two squads split a doubleheader, April 24, under legendary Head Coach Ron Oestrike (1965-87). In six all-time meetings, the two squads have split three games apiece.
The Eagles also crossed paths with the Bearcats, April 4, 1976, when the Green and White swept a doubleheader by scores of 4-0 and 11-0. That year, the Eagles went on to a sizzling 46-16 record with a MAC Championship, an NCAA regional championship and a runner-up performance at the College World Series.
COLD SPELL IN MISSOURI: With temperatures in the mid-30s, the Eastern Michigan offense was equally as frigid Wednesday, March 6, when Missouri swept a doubleheader by scores of 1-0 and 7-1. The Eagles mustered six hits on the afternoon and did not score until Austin Williams registered an RBI-groundout in the final inning of game two. Both contests were shortened to seven-inning games due to the cold.
Despite losing the opening game, the Eagles got a stellar starting performance out of Brian Valente (0-1), who registered a complete game (six innings) of one-run, three-hit baseball.
THE GUYS THAT GET IT DONE: The middle of EMU's lineup has made the lives of opposing pitchers miserable so far this season, as hitters three through five produced at a .361 clip and accounted for 20 RBI and nine extra base hits prior to the two games at Missouri. Most of these offensive contributions have come from Sam Ott (.311 batting average), Lee Longo (.326) and Adam Sonabend (.395). Not to be forgotten, Jamie Simpson has been tearing it up in the No. 6 spot with a .308 batting average which includes a double, two triples and a homer.
BUTARA FINDS IT VERSUS KANSAS: After starting the year 0-2, senior starter Neil Butara (1-2) notched his first victory of 2013 in EMU's 6-4 win against Kansas, March 1. Butara kept Jayhawks hitters off balance for seven innings, scattering seven hits and giving up one earned run with five strikeouts.
THE KID'S GOT POWER: Freshman infielder Mitchell McGeein launched his second homer of the season, a two-run shot, in the fifth inning of EMU's 11-6 victory against Kansas, March 3. McGeein has provided half of Eastern Michigan's home runs this year, with Sam Ott and Jamie Simpson as the only other players to have one.
BATTISTELLI RACKING UP THE SAVES: Senior hurler Joe Battistelli notched his 13th-career save and second of the season in a 6-4 win against Kansas, March 1. Battistelli moved into third place all-time in EMU history with his 12th save in a 10-6 win over Campbell, Feb. 15. He surpassed Ross Winiemko's mark of 11 saves from 2001-03 for sole possession of third place. Steve Herbst (1992-95) had the most saves (23) of any Eagles' pitcher from 1992-95. The Allen Park Mich. native is now just one save shy of Matt Shoemaker, who posted 14 from 2007-08.
CLUTCH NUMBERS: Head Coach Jay Alexander's club is quickly building a killer instinct at the plate. EMU is batting .389 with runners on third and less than two out. In two-out situations, the Eagles are batting .291 (39-for-134). Adam Sonabend and Sam Ott both lead the way with seven two-out knocks, while Lee Longo has six and Jamie Simpson has five.
NEW FACES MAKING AN IMPACT: Through 12 games this season, Head Coach Jay Alexander has used 10 players either in their freshman season or competing for the first time in an EMU uniform. Among those players was senior Brian Hill made his first appearance on the hill, Feb. 23, after transferring to EMU for the 2011 season. Freshman Mitchell McGeein has two home runs so far this season and newcomer Nick Rotola has an RBI .
THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT: As a staff, EMU pitchers have combined to hit 24 batters with arrant pitches this season. Eight opposing batters have been plunked by EMU starters, while the remaining 16 have been grazed and stung by relievers.
CONTINUING THE TRIPLE TREND: EMU was among the top teams in the nation with 21 triples in 2012. The Eagles' knack for hitting the three-bagger has continued this year, as the squad ranked 28th nationally with five according to the NCAA statistics for the week of March 5. Daniel Russell recorded his first triple of the year and the 12th of his career against the Cougars to move him into seventh place in EMU history.
OESTRIKE CLASSIC BACK ON FOR 2013: EMU baseball will once again host the Oestrike Classic, March 15-17, to kick off an action-packed 22-game home slate. Butler and Northern Kentucky will also participate in this year's weekend-long tournament. The Eagles will take on the Norse at 1 p.m. Friday and the Bulldogs at 5 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday, EMU will face both squads at noon and 4 p.m.
In 2012, the Eagles went 12-6 at Oestrike Stadium and look to dominate once again in their home ballpark, where they have recorded a winning record in 39-of-41 years.
EAGLES AND JAYHAWKS SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE: Eastern Michigan and Kansas played to a 2-2 series draw over the weekend, March 1-3, at QuikTrip Park in Grand Prairie, Texas. The Eagles won the opener and the finale by scores of 6-4 and 11-6, respectively, while the Jayhawks got the better of EMU in a Saturday doubleheader, 5-4 (10 innings) and 8-0. The series was close in several categories including: runs scored (23-21 KU), hits (40-37 KU), strikeouts (28-27 EMU) and walks (16-15 KU). Despite a rash of hit batters and wild pitches from both pitching staffs, the two clubs combined to commit only three errors the entire weekend.
EMU HOSTS “KNOCK AUTISM OUT OF THE PARK”: Eastern Michigan University along with Alpha Xi Delta are proud to present “Knock Autism Out of The Park” Wednesday, March 20, when the Eagles host the University of Michigan at Oestrike Stadium.
The Eagles and Wolverines hope to raise awareness about this disease that is estimated to affect 1-in-88 children and 1-in-54 boys.
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