Eastern Drops Series Opener to Huskies, 10-2

Re-Listen to the Game.

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Following a victory the previous night, April 10, the Eastern Michigan University baseball team could not keep the momentum going, falling 10-2 in a Mid-American Conference matchup to the Northern Illinois University Huskies Friday night, April 11, at Oestrike Stadium. The loss drops the Eagles to 11-20, including 1-9 in MAC play while the Huskies improve to 8-21-1 along with a 4-6 conference mark.

Six different Eagles recorded hits as the Green and White pounded seven throughout the contest. Austin Wilson was the only EMU slugger to tally a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a walk and a double. John Rubino and Sam Ott knocked in the two EMU runs, while freshman starter Sterling Sharp (1-2) took the loss on the mound. Sharp went 4.1 innings, surrendering five runs (three earned) on four hits. Ben Dartnell closed out the final three innings for Head Coach Jay Alexander, allowing a single run on four hits along with striking out four Huskies.

NIU starter Anthony Andres (3-4) lasted seven innings, giving up seven hits and two runs. Four Huskies notched two hits apiece as the visiting team collected 12 hits in the contest. Shortstop Brian Sisler went 2-for-5 with three RBI, and Tommy Hook reached base three times, crossing the plate on each occasion.

Northern Illinois built an early 4-0 lead with a pair of runs in their first two appearances at the plate. A double along with a triple led to two in the first before a dropped fly ball in shallow left field in the top of the second allowed two Huskies to cross the plate.

The Eagles loaded the bases in back-to-back innings, but were only able to score in one of them. In the fourth, Rubino and Longo singled to put runners on the corners. A walk by Michael Mioduszewski filled the bags with Eagles, but Mitchell McGeein hit a long fly to left field that ended the inning.

After NIU added a run in the fifth, the Eagles responded with two in the bottom half of the inning. Nick Rotola singled to center to start the rally before Ty Gilmore laid down a bunt single. Wilson reached via a walk to load the bases once again. This time, EMU found ways to get the runners across the plate. A sacrifice fly to right field by Rubino scored Rotola, and a single through the left side on a smooth piece of hitting by Ott brought another Eagle home, cutting the margin to three, 5-2.

Northern Illinois tacked on four insurance runs in the seventh along with one more in the ninth. The EMU bats were held in check for the remainder of the game as Eastern mustered one hit through the final four innings.

The Eagles and Huskies will face off in the second game of the series Saturday afternoon, April 12, at 3 p.m. from Oestrike Stadium. The contest will serve as EMU baseball's Eagles Unite game for the 2014 athletic season. The athletic department is encouraging student-athletes to attend specific sporting events, wearing their "Eagles Unite" t-shirts, that serve as the opportunity for them to show their school pride both on and off the field while building camaraderie amongst other student athletes.

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Team Stats

Austin Wilson

John Rubino

Sam Ott

Lee Longo

Eastern Michigan Athletics