Eastern Out-Slugged by Michigan State, 12-4

Re-Listen to the Game

EAST LANSING, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Trying to avenge a loss earlier in the season to Michigan State University, the Eastern Michigan University baseball team could not achieve its goal. A seven-run seventh inning propelled the Spartans (26-20) past the Eagles (17-30), 12-4, Wednesday afternoon, May 7, at McLane Baseball Stadium. EMU scored three runs in the sixth to bring the game within one, but MSU opened up the scoring as the clouds opened up with rain in East Lansing, Mich.

Lee Longo continued his strong season as the leading hitter in the Mid-American Conference, going 3-for-4 with two RBI, including two doubles to bring his career total to 52 two-baggers. John Rubino also added three hits and two RBI to keep hit hot hitting going as the two and three hitters recorded six of the Eagles' 10 hits. Starter Ryan Lavoie (2-4) suffered the loss on the mound, allowing six hits on three runs in 2.1 innings.

The Spartans scored 12 runs on 18 hits as each MSU batter chalked up at least one base hit. Jimmy Pickens had the biggest day out of any Spartan with three hits, three runs and three RBI, including a two-run homer in the third. Second baseman Johnny Nate also produced three hits, while five teammates picked up a pair of hits apiece. Chase Rihtarchik (1-3) won on the rubber for MSU, but Eagles were able to peg him for four runs (one earned) on seven hits in 5.2 innings.

After Lavoie retired the Spartans in order to begin the game, Michigan State tallied three straight hits in the top of the second to load the bases with nobody out. Following a visit by pitching coach Eric Peterson, the right-hander caused a 6-4-3 double play to get two big outs; Ty Gilmore flipped the ball with his glove to Rubino at second, who threw to Mitchell McGeein at first to complete the twin-killing. However, a run scored on the play, and the Spartans would add another to take an early 2-0 lead.

For the third straight inning, Eastern picked up a hit with two outs in the inning. This time, the Green and White was able to put a number up on scoreboard to cut the lead in half, 2-1. Rubino singled to start the rally before swiping his team-leading 20th stolen base of the season. With a runner in scoring position and batting over .500 with two outs throughout the 2014 campaign, Longo drove in his teammate with a double to left field for his 23rd two-out RBI of the season.

MSU responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning. Lavoie exited the ballgame after getting an out and giving up a base hit. As Michael Marsinek came on in relief of his fellow Eagle, Pickens blasted a ball that kept carrying out to left and over the fence to increase the Michigan State advantage to three, 4-1. The Spartans loaded the bases once again, but freshman Sam Delaplane was able to get out of the jam with a strikeout to end the inning. The home team added another run in the fourth to increase the scoring differential to four, 5-1.

The Eagles brought the deficit back to one with three runs in the top of the sixth. Gilmore walked and McGeein reached on an error to begin the inning, giving Eastern a good scoring opportunity. Despite the Spartans retiring back-to-back EMU sluggers, the Green and White sparked a two-out rally as Ott walked to fill the bases. Continuing his strong day, Rubino roped his third base hit of the day to plate Gilmore and McGeein. Longo followed with another double down the left field line to bring Ott across the plate and make it a 5-4 ballgame. Tony DiLeo followed with another base on balls to load the bases, but Eastern left the bases loaded to remain down by a run.

Michigan State broke open the contest with seven runs on five hits after the seventh-inning stretch. The Spartans brought 11 batters to the plate, finding in holes for hits while also reach base via base on balls. In its remaining two appearances at the plate, Eastern was unable to decrease the deficit, falling by eight runs.

The Green and White wraps up the home portion of the schedule with a three-game set against rival Central Michigan University, May 9-11. The series begins Friday, May 9, at 6 p.m. under the lights of Oestrike Stadium. The following day, May 10, eight seniors will be recognized on the field before the game as part of Senior Day festivities; first pitch for Saturday afternoon is slated for 3 p.m. The final game at Oestrike Stadium for the 2014 campaign will be Military Appreciation Day as well as a Mother's Day celebration. The Eagles and Chippewas will take the diamond for the series finale at 1 p.m., May 11.

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Team Stats

John Rubino

Lee Longo

Tony DiLeo

Mike Mioduszewski

Eastern Michigan Athletics