Eastern Falls to Ohio, 10-8, in See-Saw Battle

ATHENS, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball led by two through the first six innings of the series opener against the Ohio University Bobcats, April 25. However, the home team rattled off eight runs in the seventh and eighth innings combined to rally past the Eagles, 10-8, Friday night at Bob Wren Stadium.

The seniors led the way for the Green and White (14-25, 2-14 MAC) at the dish. Lee Longo and Sam Ott were productive as both Eagles collected a pair of hits while knocking in one run apiece scoring once themselves. Freshman John Montgomery added a RBI triple in the bottom of the ninth that plated three Eagles. Eastern chalked up eight runs on nine hits, but committed three errors in the field. On the mound, EMU ace Sterling Sharp went 6.1 innings while allowing five runs (two earned) on nine hits. The freshman struck out three during his outing before exiting in the bottom of the seventh.

Shortstop Garrett Black had a huge game for OU (7-31, 3-13 MAC) in the leadoff spot, going 4-for-5 with three runs. John Adryan added three hits and two runs, while Taylor Emody and Tyler Wells knocked in two runs apiece. As a team, Ohio reached double digits in runs on 12 hits. Jake Roehn (3-6) lasted seven innings to pick up the victory, surrendering four runs (two earned) on seven hits.

Ohio started the scoring with a run in the bottom of the second, taking advantage of an EMU error. However, the Eagles responded in their next appearance at the plate with three runs to lead by two, 3-1. Austin Wilson started the inning with a single before swiping second base to get into scoring position. Ty Gilmore followed with a smash that was mishandled by the OU first baseman, squirting into right field as the speedy Wilson crossed the plate. As Gilmore stood on second, Ott hit a base knock to right to plate his teammate and give EMU its first lead of the ballgame. Living up to his clutch hitting, Longo found the gap in right center to score Ott for his 21st two-out RBI of the season.

The Bobcats cut the EMU lead in half, scoring once in the fifth. Once again, Eastern countered the OU scoring with a run of its own. Longo singled to begin the inning, advancing 90 feet on the next at-bat, an Adam Sonabend groundout to second. With one duck on the pond, Michael Mioduszewski singled up the middle to bring Longo home and build the lead back to two, 4-2.In the bottom half of the sixth, OU threatened with runners were on second and third. Back-to-back singles followed by a sacrifice bunt put the tying run in scoring position. However, Sharp settled down to get a strikeout as well as a flyout to end the inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, Eastern lost the lead as Ohio tallied three runs on two hits and an error to take a one-run advantage, 5-4. After the Eagles were retired in order in the eighth, OU tacked on five insurance runs on three hits and a little wildness from the EMU pitching staff.

Despite trailing by six run entering the ninth, the Eagles did not give up en route to scoring four runs in the ninth. Being patient at the plate, the first three Eagles walked to load the bases with nobody out. Taking advantage of his RBI opportunity, Montgomery cleared the bases with a triple to the right center gap, cutting the six-run lead in half, 10-7. With one out, Ott walked to put runners on the corners and bring the tying run to the plate. Representing the tying run, John Rubino singled to score Montgomery and keep the rally going. However, the rally fell short as Longo rolled into a double play to end the contest.

The Eagles and Bobcats will return to the diamond for the second game of the series Saturday, April 26. First pitch from Athens begins at 3 p.m. as senior left-hander Paul Schaak gets the ball for EMU. Ohio is expected to counter with righty Jake Rudnicki.

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Team Stats

Sam Ott

Lee Longo

John Rubino

Mike Mioduszewski

Eastern Michigan Athletics