Eastern Sweeps Cincinnati and Youngstown State in Doubleheader

CINCINNATI, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball team got back on the winning track by sweeping a twinbill over the University of Cincinnati and Youngstown State University Sunday afternoon, March 9, at Marge Schott Stadium. The Eagles won the first game over the Bearcats, 5-4, before exacting revenge on the Penguins in game two, 11-5. The pair of wins jumps EMU to a 6-8 mark on the season. The Eagles are now 5-1 playing in Marge Schott Stadium over the past two seasons after sweeping the Bearcats last year.

Game One: Eastern Michigan 5, Cincinnati 4

EMU scored all of its runs in two innings, recording three runs in the second and two in the sixth to claim the 5-4 victory. The Eagles tallied five runs on 10 hits while being perfect in the field by not committing an error. Ben Dartnell (1-0) got the win by throwing five innings and surrendering just one run on four hits. Freshman Sterling Sharp (1) closed it out by pitching the final four outs of the contest to earn his first career save.

Starting shortstop John Rubino had a huge first game for the Green and White, knocking in four runs on a pair of singles. Fellow middle infielder Nick Rotola also added two hits to go along with a run and an RBI. After a pinch-hit home run last night, Michael Mioduszewski got the start in left field, going 1-for-3 with two runs scored.

The Eagles pegged UC starter Grant Walker for all five of their runs, forcing the Bearcat to exit in the sixth after allowing five runs on eight hits in 5.1 innings. Cincinnati (4-10) out-hit Eastern, 12-10, but left 13 on base throughout the game. Russell Clark, Ian Happ and Colin Hawk all recorded two base-knocks for UC, including a triple by Happ in the bottom of the ninth.

Eastern struck first in the top of the second with three runs. Adam Sonabend single, Mioduszewski walked, and Rotola doubled down the line in left to plate Sonabend. With two ducks on the pond, Rubino came through in the clutch as a single to scored both Eagles. Cincinnati countered with a run in the bottom half of the inning, but EMU remained on top, 3-1.

UC knotted the contest up at three with two runs on three hits in the bottom of the third, causing EMU starter Jake Andrews to leave the game. However, Bronson entered to clean things up and leave two Bearcats stranded on the base path.

The Bearcats broke the tie in the fifth. Following a double to start the inning, UC played small ball to get the go-ahead run across the plate. A sacrifice bunt advanced the runner to third before he scored on a sac fly to right field, giving UC the one-run advantage 4-3.

The UC lead did not last long as the Eagles flipped the script with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth. McGeein singled before Mioduszewski doubled to right, setting up another prime scoring opportunity for the Green and White. Ty Gilmore, the next batter, was plunked by a pitch to load the bases. After a Rotola strike out brought the Eagles down to their final out of the inning, Rubino once again proved to be clutch with a base-rip that found a hole through the left side. McGeein and Mioduszewski crossed the dish that brought the game to a final 5-4 tally.

EMU held onto the lead despite UC threatening in the final two innings. With runners on second and third with two outs, Sharp entered the contest to get out of the jam. The "true" freshman returned for the ninth to get the save; however, it was not easy. A triple to deep center field put the tying run 90 feet away. Sharp buckled down, forcing a ground ball to Gilmore at third who threw to Sonabend to get the lead runner as the EMU catcher ended up running down the third base line to make tag for the important out. Cincinnati was able to get two runners on, but a fly out to left brought an end to the contest, giving EMU the narrow victory.

Game Two: Eastern Michigan 11, Youngstown State 5

In the nightcap, the Eagles cruised to an 11-5 victory behind 11 hits. Michael Marsinek (1-0) picked up his first victory of the season after starting the first 5.1 innings. The sophomore lefty allowed two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four. Mioduszewski capped off his strong weekend by recording a couple of doubles in game two, knocking in one run while scoring once as well. Longo put together a solid performance, going 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI while Gilmore totaled a team-high three RBI.

Youngstown State (2-10) committed four errors that led to six EMU runs, which ended up being the margin of victory for the Green and White. Senior Nic Manuppelli (0-3) surrendered eight runs (four earned) while also walking six in just 3.2 innings of work. The Penguins were led at the plate by catcher Josh White, who went 3-for-5 with one run and a pair of RBI.

EMU began the scoring right away in its first trip visit to the plate. Rubino led off, walking on four straight pitches. Wilson laid down a bunt to advance his teammate, but reached first and advanced to second on a throwing error by the YSU catcher. With two Eagles in scoring position, Ott brought Rubino in on a sac fly liner to right field. One batter later, Longo found a hole in the right side of the infield as Wilson came around from second, sneaking his hand on the plate just ahead of the throw. The Eagles continued to pour on runs as McGeein singled to center and Sonabend doubled down the left field line to score Longo. Three straight Eagles reached via a walk or hit by pitch to increase the EMU advantage to 5-0.

Although Youngtown State cut the margin to three with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third, Eastern countered with three runs in its next chance at the plate, making it 8-2. EMU took advantage of some mistakes by YSU pitching and fielding as the bases were full for Gilmore. The junior college transfer kept the inning alive with a shot up the middle that scored two Eagles. Then, Marquise Gill got in on the action with a single that plated another run.

Three more insurance runs were added by EMU in the fifth and sixth. The Eagles loaded the bases with no outs due to an error and two walks by the Penguins. McGeein did his job with a sac fly before Mioduszewski knocked in one more with a double down the left field line. In the sixth, Ott scored on a Longo single after getting on base by recording a hit of his own.

YSU added three runs to decrease the deficit, but the Green and White remained in control to complete the sweep.

With snow still on the Oestrike Stadium diamond due to the harsh winter in Ypsilanti, the Green and White will head down to Florence, Ky. to face Northern Kentucky University in a three-game set. EMU and NKU will play a doubleheader Saturday, March 15, at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center Stadium starting at noon. The Eagles and Norse will wrap up the series March 16 with a first pitch set for noon.

Eastern Sweeps Cincinnati and Youngstown State in Doubleheader

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Team Stats

Lee Longo

Mike Mioduszewski

Nick Rotola

Austin Wilson

Eastern Michigan Athletics