Opposing Pitching Controls EMU Bats on Senior Day

Re-listen to the game

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) –For the third time in the last five Mid-American Conference games, the Eastern Michigan University baseball team was victim of a complete game by an opposing starting pitcher as Central Michigan University downed the Eagles, 7-1, on Senior Day at Oestrike Stadium, May 10. The Chippewas (31-20, 16-7 MAC) broke a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning before adding five more runs in the final two innings to defeat the Green and White (17-32, 4-19 MAC) for the second time in as many days.

Prior to the game, the eight-member senior class of the EMU baseball program was recognized on the field: Zane Birchler, Dae Bowden, Kristian Calibuso, Lee Longo, Sam Ott, Paul Schaak, Adam Sonabend and Steve Weber. Throughout their careers donning the Green and White, the seniors have been a part of 105 victories.

Junior John Rubino continued to be on fire at the plate, recording a pair of hits for his seventh multi-hit game in the last nine contests. Longo and Ott also added one hit apiece for the Eagles' total of four. With a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth, Longo knocked in the 144th run of his stellar EMU career.

On the mound, Schaak (1-3) suffered the hard-luck loss as he was impressive throughout the afternoon, keeping the Chippewas off guard at the dish. The crafty left-hander allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits in 6.0 innings, striking out three in the process. He also forced Central into three groundout double plays, tying a season-high for EMU. Weber returned to the Oestrike Stadium hill for what could be his final time, tossing 1.1 innings and giving up one run on two hits. Another fellow senior, Calibuso, finished the Eagles' day in the field with a strikeout in the top of the ninth.

Central Michigan got a complete game from starting pitcher Pat Kaminska (8-2), who allowed one unearned run on four hits and three walks to go along with five strikeouts; working quickly, he threw 117 pitches on the afternoon. The Chips tallied 10 hits at the plate, including three from Logan Regnier as the right fielder also picked up a pair of RBI. Tyler Huntey and Adam Collins each added two hits as well.

An error in the top of the second allowed CMU to put the game's first run up on the board. Cody Leichman not only reached on an error by Nick Rotola, but he also advanced to second base on the errant throw. Following a single, Schaak was able to force a double play turned by Rotola, Rubino and Mitchell McGeein. However, the run crossed the plate on the play to give the Chippewas a one-run advantage.

Schaak got himself into a jam during the fifth inning after retiring the first two batters. He walked back-to-back Chippewas before plunking another to load the bases. Nonetheless, the veteran allowed Austin Wilson to camp under a fly ball in center field to get out of the inning unscathed. One inning later, it paid off as the Eagles knotted the game at 1-1 with its run in the bottom of the sixth. Wilson walked to start the inning; he later advanced to third as a high infield chopper by Ott caused a bad throw by the CMU shortstop. With runners on the corners' Longo blasted a ball to deep right field, bringing in Wilson on the sacrifice fly and tying the ballgame.

Scoring twice in consecutive innings brought Central back on top by two. The Chippewas added four more insurance runs in the ninth, while holding the EMU bats to just one hit in the final three innings.

The Eagles will look to salvage a win in the series finale on Sunday, May 11. The Mother's Day contest will be the final MAC game at Oestrike Stadium for the 2014 season. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. as freshman Tyler Russell will square off against CMU's Nick Deeg. For those not able to make it out to the game, Eagle All-Access will provide live audio coverage with Chad Bush and Greg Steiner on the call.

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Team Stats

John Rubino

Sam Ott

Lee Longo

Adam Sonabend

Eastern Michigan Athletics