Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, April 19
Varsity Field
1 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
11-27-1, 1-10
8
vs
13
Toledo
12-25, 5-8
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5
6
7
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H
E
Toledo
0
3
4
4
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0
1
13
10
2
Eastern Michigan
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0
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1
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8
11
2
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
EMU Splits Slugfest in Walk-Off Fashion, Stanton Tallies Nine RBI
4/19/2013 7:16:00 PM | Softball
Lucas hit a solo homer in the bottom of the eighth to give EMU a walk-off win
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University softball team split and doubleheader with Mid-American Conference opponent the University of Toledo Friday, April 19, at Varsity Field. Both games of the twinbill were slugfests as the Rockets (12-26; 5-9 MAC) dropped the opener, 13-8, before the Eagles (12-27-1; 2-10 MAC) took the nightcap into extra innings in walk-off fashion, 14-13, with a Jenn Lucas (Pinckney, Mich.-Pinckney) solo home run to left centerfield.
There was a wealth of offense in the two games as there were 48 runs scored on 56 hits between the doubleheader. There were 17 extra-base hits, including eight home runs, six of which were hit by the Green and White.
Game One
The Eagles dropped the first game of a blustery doubleheader, 13-8, in a game that had 23 hits, 21 runs and four errors between the opponents.
Eastern scored eight runs on 11 hits but were unable to come up with the win as they allowed 13 runs by the visiting Rockets. Junior Lauren Wells (Lowell, Ind.-Lowell) was charged with the loss. Wells (0-16) tossed 1.1 innings in relief and gave up six runs, four earned, on two hits, while walking six. Lindsay Rich (Perrysburg, Ohio-Perrysburg) made the start for EMU, throwing the first two innings and surrendering four runs on five hits. Jenna Ignowski (Niles, Mich.-Niles) threw the final 3.2 innings and was touched four three runs, two earned, on three hits. Toledo's Marla Gooding pitched a complete game, giving up six earned runs, and walking four batters. The Eagles pitching staff gave up a combined six walks.
Amanda Stanton (Homer Glenn, Ill.-Lockport Township) led the offense for the Eagles going 3-for-4, hitting two home runs, a three-run shot and a two-run bomb. Stanton's two long ball ties her for second all-time in a single game in EMU laurels, while her five RBI tied her for third in single game history. Herron went 3-for-4 in the loss with an RBI and a run scored.
Rich took the circle first for the Green and White. The Eagles defensive quickly handled the first three batters for the Rockets, not allowing any to reach base and showcasing some proficient defense. However, Courtney Nichloson (Navarre, Ohio-Canton Central Catholic) was shaken up and left the game after colliding with Mady Hostetler (New Haven, Ind.-Woodlan), who was making a gem of a catch in right field.
The Eagles got onto the scorecard first when Herron singled up the middle to plate Katy Blaharski (Carleton, Mich.-Airport), who had reached second thanks to some miscues by the visiting Rockets. Then with runners on the corners Stanton sent the first pitch she saw over the left field fence, her third round tripper of the season, to put the Eagles out in front 4-0 in the bottom of the first.
With the bases loaded in the top on the second, Alissa Turkovich knocked one just past second base to bring in two runs for the Rockets. Alyassa Smith, then grounded out to third, but drove in another run for Toledo to make the score 4-3 in the second.
The Rockets tied the game up 4-4 in the third inning, when Courtney McCarthy hit a homer on a 2-0 pitch to centerfield. Wells then entered the game to pitch relief for the Eagles. After walking the bases loaded Wells plunked Morgan Smith with a pitch to bring in the go-ahead run. Two more Rocket scored when Blaharski threw home on the fielder's choice and Aoife Duffy (Powell, Ohio-Olengtangy Liberty) mishandled the ball, not only losing the out but allowing Gooding to reach home for an unearned run. The Rockets led the Eagles 7-4 going into the bottom of the third.
After Wells walked the bases loaded in the top of the fourth, bringing Ignowski come in to try to salvage the game for the Green and White. However, Toledo's Jessica Lemieux hit a one out grand slam to left center pushing the Rocket's lead to 11-4.
Eastern got back on the board when in the bottom of the fourth when the Rockets' catcher mishandled a pitch and made a throwing error advancing two base runners by allowing a passed ball then gifting a run by throwing wildly to second base, scoring Courtney Loe (Temperance, Mich.-Bedford) for the Eagles.
Toledo's McCarthy scored an unearned run in the top of the fifth to put the Rockets' lead at 12-5, when a wild pitch got by Duffy and she was able to take home. The Eagles answered with a single run in the bottom of the fifth, when Loe hit a double into right center to reach second base and drive in Herron, who had reached scoring position by sending a base hit down the leftfield line and then advancing on a wild pitch by Gooding.
The top of the seventh with two runners in scoring position, Lani Ernst grounded out to Ignowski but drove in another run for Toledo to give the visitors a seven-run lead, 13-6.
Stanton sent a big fly into right center, her second homer of the game, scoring a pair of runs. Unfortunately those were the final tallies of the game for the Green and White and EMU fell, 13-8.
Game Two
The Eagles took an early 5-1 lead but then fell behind after Toledo scored eight runs in three innings to take a 9-5 edge. Eastern put up six runs in the ensuing two innings to take an 11-9 lead heading into the ninth inning before the Rockets responded with four runs in the top of the seventh to re-take a lead, 13-11. EMU came back with a pair of runs in the bottom half to send it into extra innings before Jenn Lucas put together a heroic swing in the bottom of the eighth to send Eastern home with a walk-off victory, 14-13.
Rich made her second start of the day in game two and was touched for six runs on seven hits before giving way to Ignowski after two innings of work. Ignowski (7-6) threw the final six innings and allowed seven runs on 12 hits to pick up the win. Ignowski had a season-high nine strikeouts. Alli Beery started game two for the Rockets but failed to get an out before Gooding (7-14) came on in relief. Beery surrendered five runs on three hits, while Gooding tossed a total of eight innings and allowed nine runs, six earned, on 13 hits after being charged with the loss.
The Eagles touched the plate 14 times on 16 hits in the finale, including nine extra base hits, four of which were homers. Stanton again led the way offensively going 3-for-4 with a grand slam and four RBI, while Blaharski went 5-for-5, with a triple, two doubles and a pair of runs scored. Blaharski's five hits tied her for the most in a single game in EMU history. Loe went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Duffy and Hostetler each had a pair of RBI. Hostetler hit the first home run of her young career, while Lucas and Nicholson each slugged homers in EMU's second MAC victory of 2013.
Toledo opened up the scoring in game two, after Lemieux ripped a double to left centerfield scoring Ernst from second. Ernst reached base on a single and moved up on a Lindsey Tobias single. However, the UT one-run lead did not stand for long.
Blaharski led the bottom of the first off with a three-bagger her second of the 2013 campaign and Nicholson walked in her next at bat to put runners at the corners. Herron singled up the middle to score Blaharski and tie up the game at one run apiece. Nellie Coquillard (Niles, Mich.-Niles) was plunked in the next at-bat to load the bases for Stanton who launched her third round-tripper of the doubleheader, giving the Eagles a 5-1 lead, signaling the end of the day for Beery.
Toledo came back in the second to score a run and cut into the EMU lead. Allissa Turkovich drew a one-out walk and moved into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt from Alyssa Smith. Kristen Roznoski then singled to drive in the Rockets' second run of the game to come within three, 5-2.
The Rockets continued to claw back in the third scoring six runs. Ernst led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a Tobias single through the left side. Lemieux ripped a double off the centerfield fence scoring Ernst. With runners at second and third, Gooding helped her own cause singling to left center plating a pair to tie up the game at five runs apiece. Allison Beard came on to run for Gooding and stole second before Morgan Smith drew a walk to put runners at first and second with no outs. Turkovich laid down a bunt to advance the runners to second and third before Alyssa Smith poked an infield single holding the runners at bay until an EMU throwing error allowed Beard to cross the plate and put the Rockets up 6-5. Ignowski was able to set down the next batter on strikes before McCarthy roped a doubled to deep right centerfield, scoring two more runs for the Rockets making it 8-5 in favor of the visitors.
Toledo came out in the fourth to add another run to its lead when Morgan Smith ripped a single through the left side to plate Lemiuex from second to put the Rockets up 9-5.
Eastern used the bottom of the fifth to climb back into the game by scoring three runs. Stanton led the inning off with a single and moved up to second on a fielding error by the leftfielder. Loe then doubled in Stanton to make it 9-6. After getting the next two batters, Hostetler tagged Gooding for the first home run of her career and brining EMU within one run, 9-8, after five innings of play.
The Eagles were able to regain the lead in the bottom of the sixth after scoring three runs. Coquillard drew a one-out walk before being lifted for a pinch-runner in the form of Elaine Whitbeck (Holland, Mich.-West Ottawa). Stanton singled in her next at-bat to put runners at first and second before Loe reached on a fielding error by the Toledo third baseman to score one and tie the game, 9-9. Gooding set the next batter down on strikes before Duffy came to the plate and ripped a double to the right centerfield gap to score two runs and give the Eagles an 11-9 lead heading into the seventh.
Toledo did not go quietly in the bottom half leading off the inning with three-straight singles to load the bases with zero outs on the board. Ignowski got Roznoski to hit a slow roller back to the pitcher and get the lead runner out at home. Ignowski tossed another groundout to McCarthy in the next at-bat which scored a run and brought the game within one run, 11-10. Ernst hit a shallow pop-up to right field which was just out of reach of a diving Hostetler and scored a pair of runs to give Toledo another lead, 12-11. Ernst moved up to third on the throws into the infield before Tobias poked a single into leftfield for another run to put the Rockets up, 13-11.
The Green and White turned around in the bottom half to score a pair of runs. Blaharski led the inning off with an infield single before Nicholson came up to the plate. The Navarre, Ohio native roped a fly ball over the leftfield fence, her second of the season, to tie the game at 13 runs each. Gooding was able to set down three of the next four batter to head into extra innings.
After getting out of a jam in the top of the eighth and forcing the Rockets to leave two in scoring position it was the Eagles' turn to produce some offense in extra innings. Sophomore education major, Lucas hit a walk-off jack to left center to seal the victory for the home team in dramatic fashion.
The Eagles are back in action tomorrow, April 20, for their annual Knock Cancer Out of the Park Game at Varsity Field. The Green and White will face-off with the Bowling Green State University Falcons with first pitch set for 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
There was a wealth of offense in the two games as there were 48 runs scored on 56 hits between the doubleheader. There were 17 extra-base hits, including eight home runs, six of which were hit by the Green and White.
Game One
The Eagles dropped the first game of a blustery doubleheader, 13-8, in a game that had 23 hits, 21 runs and four errors between the opponents.
Eastern scored eight runs on 11 hits but were unable to come up with the win as they allowed 13 runs by the visiting Rockets. Junior Lauren Wells (Lowell, Ind.-Lowell) was charged with the loss. Wells (0-16) tossed 1.1 innings in relief and gave up six runs, four earned, on two hits, while walking six. Lindsay Rich (Perrysburg, Ohio-Perrysburg) made the start for EMU, throwing the first two innings and surrendering four runs on five hits. Jenna Ignowski (Niles, Mich.-Niles) threw the final 3.2 innings and was touched four three runs, two earned, on three hits. Toledo's Marla Gooding pitched a complete game, giving up six earned runs, and walking four batters. The Eagles pitching staff gave up a combined six walks.
Amanda Stanton (Homer Glenn, Ill.-Lockport Township) led the offense for the Eagles going 3-for-4, hitting two home runs, a three-run shot and a two-run bomb. Stanton's two long ball ties her for second all-time in a single game in EMU laurels, while her five RBI tied her for third in single game history. Herron went 3-for-4 in the loss with an RBI and a run scored.
Rich took the circle first for the Green and White. The Eagles defensive quickly handled the first three batters for the Rockets, not allowing any to reach base and showcasing some proficient defense. However, Courtney Nichloson (Navarre, Ohio-Canton Central Catholic) was shaken up and left the game after colliding with Mady Hostetler (New Haven, Ind.-Woodlan), who was making a gem of a catch in right field.
The Eagles got onto the scorecard first when Herron singled up the middle to plate Katy Blaharski (Carleton, Mich.-Airport), who had reached second thanks to some miscues by the visiting Rockets. Then with runners on the corners Stanton sent the first pitch she saw over the left field fence, her third round tripper of the season, to put the Eagles out in front 4-0 in the bottom of the first.
With the bases loaded in the top on the second, Alissa Turkovich knocked one just past second base to bring in two runs for the Rockets. Alyassa Smith, then grounded out to third, but drove in another run for Toledo to make the score 4-3 in the second.
The Rockets tied the game up 4-4 in the third inning, when Courtney McCarthy hit a homer on a 2-0 pitch to centerfield. Wells then entered the game to pitch relief for the Eagles. After walking the bases loaded Wells plunked Morgan Smith with a pitch to bring in the go-ahead run. Two more Rocket scored when Blaharski threw home on the fielder's choice and Aoife Duffy (Powell, Ohio-Olengtangy Liberty) mishandled the ball, not only losing the out but allowing Gooding to reach home for an unearned run. The Rockets led the Eagles 7-4 going into the bottom of the third.
After Wells walked the bases loaded in the top of the fourth, bringing Ignowski come in to try to salvage the game for the Green and White. However, Toledo's Jessica Lemieux hit a one out grand slam to left center pushing the Rocket's lead to 11-4.
Eastern got back on the board when in the bottom of the fourth when the Rockets' catcher mishandled a pitch and made a throwing error advancing two base runners by allowing a passed ball then gifting a run by throwing wildly to second base, scoring Courtney Loe (Temperance, Mich.-Bedford) for the Eagles.
Toledo's McCarthy scored an unearned run in the top of the fifth to put the Rockets' lead at 12-5, when a wild pitch got by Duffy and she was able to take home. The Eagles answered with a single run in the bottom of the fifth, when Loe hit a double into right center to reach second base and drive in Herron, who had reached scoring position by sending a base hit down the leftfield line and then advancing on a wild pitch by Gooding.
The top of the seventh with two runners in scoring position, Lani Ernst grounded out to Ignowski but drove in another run for Toledo to give the visitors a seven-run lead, 13-6.
Stanton sent a big fly into right center, her second homer of the game, scoring a pair of runs. Unfortunately those were the final tallies of the game for the Green and White and EMU fell, 13-8.
Game Two
The Eagles took an early 5-1 lead but then fell behind after Toledo scored eight runs in three innings to take a 9-5 edge. Eastern put up six runs in the ensuing two innings to take an 11-9 lead heading into the ninth inning before the Rockets responded with four runs in the top of the seventh to re-take a lead, 13-11. EMU came back with a pair of runs in the bottom half to send it into extra innings before Jenn Lucas put together a heroic swing in the bottom of the eighth to send Eastern home with a walk-off victory, 14-13.
Rich made her second start of the day in game two and was touched for six runs on seven hits before giving way to Ignowski after two innings of work. Ignowski (7-6) threw the final six innings and allowed seven runs on 12 hits to pick up the win. Ignowski had a season-high nine strikeouts. Alli Beery started game two for the Rockets but failed to get an out before Gooding (7-14) came on in relief. Beery surrendered five runs on three hits, while Gooding tossed a total of eight innings and allowed nine runs, six earned, on 13 hits after being charged with the loss.
The Eagles touched the plate 14 times on 16 hits in the finale, including nine extra base hits, four of which were homers. Stanton again led the way offensively going 3-for-4 with a grand slam and four RBI, while Blaharski went 5-for-5, with a triple, two doubles and a pair of runs scored. Blaharski's five hits tied her for the most in a single game in EMU history. Loe went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Duffy and Hostetler each had a pair of RBI. Hostetler hit the first home run of her young career, while Lucas and Nicholson each slugged homers in EMU's second MAC victory of 2013.
Toledo opened up the scoring in game two, after Lemieux ripped a double to left centerfield scoring Ernst from second. Ernst reached base on a single and moved up on a Lindsey Tobias single. However, the UT one-run lead did not stand for long.
Blaharski led the bottom of the first off with a three-bagger her second of the 2013 campaign and Nicholson walked in her next at bat to put runners at the corners. Herron singled up the middle to score Blaharski and tie up the game at one run apiece. Nellie Coquillard (Niles, Mich.-Niles) was plunked in the next at-bat to load the bases for Stanton who launched her third round-tripper of the doubleheader, giving the Eagles a 5-1 lead, signaling the end of the day for Beery.
Toledo came back in the second to score a run and cut into the EMU lead. Allissa Turkovich drew a one-out walk and moved into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt from Alyssa Smith. Kristen Roznoski then singled to drive in the Rockets' second run of the game to come within three, 5-2.
The Rockets continued to claw back in the third scoring six runs. Ernst led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a Tobias single through the left side. Lemieux ripped a double off the centerfield fence scoring Ernst. With runners at second and third, Gooding helped her own cause singling to left center plating a pair to tie up the game at five runs apiece. Allison Beard came on to run for Gooding and stole second before Morgan Smith drew a walk to put runners at first and second with no outs. Turkovich laid down a bunt to advance the runners to second and third before Alyssa Smith poked an infield single holding the runners at bay until an EMU throwing error allowed Beard to cross the plate and put the Rockets up 6-5. Ignowski was able to set down the next batter on strikes before McCarthy roped a doubled to deep right centerfield, scoring two more runs for the Rockets making it 8-5 in favor of the visitors.
Toledo came out in the fourth to add another run to its lead when Morgan Smith ripped a single through the left side to plate Lemiuex from second to put the Rockets up 9-5.
Eastern used the bottom of the fifth to climb back into the game by scoring three runs. Stanton led the inning off with a single and moved up to second on a fielding error by the leftfielder. Loe then doubled in Stanton to make it 9-6. After getting the next two batters, Hostetler tagged Gooding for the first home run of her career and brining EMU within one run, 9-8, after five innings of play.
The Eagles were able to regain the lead in the bottom of the sixth after scoring three runs. Coquillard drew a one-out walk before being lifted for a pinch-runner in the form of Elaine Whitbeck (Holland, Mich.-West Ottawa). Stanton singled in her next at-bat to put runners at first and second before Loe reached on a fielding error by the Toledo third baseman to score one and tie the game, 9-9. Gooding set the next batter down on strikes before Duffy came to the plate and ripped a double to the right centerfield gap to score two runs and give the Eagles an 11-9 lead heading into the seventh.
Toledo did not go quietly in the bottom half leading off the inning with three-straight singles to load the bases with zero outs on the board. Ignowski got Roznoski to hit a slow roller back to the pitcher and get the lead runner out at home. Ignowski tossed another groundout to McCarthy in the next at-bat which scored a run and brought the game within one run, 11-10. Ernst hit a shallow pop-up to right field which was just out of reach of a diving Hostetler and scored a pair of runs to give Toledo another lead, 12-11. Ernst moved up to third on the throws into the infield before Tobias poked a single into leftfield for another run to put the Rockets up, 13-11.
The Green and White turned around in the bottom half to score a pair of runs. Blaharski led the inning off with an infield single before Nicholson came up to the plate. The Navarre, Ohio native roped a fly ball over the leftfield fence, her second of the season, to tie the game at 13 runs each. Gooding was able to set down three of the next four batter to head into extra innings.
After getting out of a jam in the top of the eighth and forcing the Rockets to leave two in scoring position it was the Eagles' turn to produce some offense in extra innings. Sophomore education major, Lucas hit a walk-off jack to left center to seal the victory for the home team in dramatic fashion.
The Eagles are back in action tomorrow, April 20, for their annual Knock Cancer Out of the Park Game at Varsity Field. The Green and White will face-off with the Bowling Green State University Falcons with first pitch set for 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: GOODING, Marla (7-13)
L: Wells, Lauren (0-16)
Batting:
HR: MCCARTHY, Courtney 1 ; LEMIEUX, Jessica 1
RBI: MCCARTHY, Courtney 1 ; ERNST, Lani 1 ; LEMIEUX, Jessica 4 ; SMITH, Morgan 1 ; TURKOVICH, Allissa 2 ; SMITH, Alyssa 1
SH: MCCARTHY, Courtney 1
Base Running:
RUNS: MCCARTHY, Courtney 3 ; ERNST, Lani 2 ; TOBIAS, Lindsey 2 ; LEMIEUX, Jessica 2 ; GOODING, Marla 2 ; SMITH, Morgan 1 ; SMITH, Alyssa 1
SB: MCCARTHY, Courtney 1 ; ERNST, Lani 1
HBP: MCCARTHY, Courtney 1 ; SMITH, Morgan 2
Batting:
2B: Loe, Courtney 1
HR: Stanton, Amanda 2
RBI: Herron, Amanda 1 ; Stanton, Amanda 5 ; Loe, Courtney 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Blaharski, Katy 1 ; Davidson, Abby 1 ; Herron, Amanda 1 ; Coquillard, Nellie 2 ; Stanton, Amanda 2 ; Loe, Courtney 1
CS: Blaharski, Katy 1
HBP: Coquillard, Nellie 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
1
H
3
RBI
1
AB
4
R
2
H
3
RBI
5
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
2
H
1
RBI
0
Thank You, Team 38
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EMU Softball Signs Alyssa Feiler
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