Errors Plague EMU in 6-2 Loss at Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University's baseball team took the field in its final contest of a three-game set at the University of Arizona Sunday, Feb. 15. The Eagles (0-3) were unable to secure a victory in the season opening series with the Wildcats (0-3) as EMU saw itself on the wrong side of a 6-2 decision at Hi Corbett Field on Sunday afternoon.

Offensively, the Green and White was led by John Rubino (Scottsdale, Ariz.-Horizon) who strung a pair of hits together, scoring a run from the leadoff spot, while Mitchell McGeein (Calgary, Alberta-Vauxhall) hit a long ball to score one of the Eagles' two runs and Jordan Peterson (Gilbert, Ariz.-Highland (Chandler-Gilbert C.C.)) had the other RBI. Eastern managed just three hits, while Arizona scored six runs on nine hits in the series finally.

Jake Andrews (Chandler, Ariz.-Hamilton (Mesa C.C.)) (0-1) was saddled with the loss after pitching 5.2 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and striking out four. It was the Eagles' defense that proved to be the difference in the game as the senior right-hander did not allow an earned run in his first start of the year. Michael Marsinek (Streetboro, Ohio-Walsh Jesuit) and Sam Delaplane (San Jose, Calif.-Leigh) each entered the game for EMU. Marsinek tossed 1.1 innings and allowed one earned run, while Delaplane went a single inning, giving an unearned run on one hit. Tyger Talley (1-0) picked up the victory for the Wildcats, going 7.1 strong innings, allowed just two runs on three hits. Talley struck out nine Eagles in his first win. Bobby Dalbec picked up his first save of the season when he tossed 1.2 hitless innings.

Arizona struck first when Tyler Krause hit a two-out double down the left field line before a Brennan Williams (Commerce Township, Mich.-Walled Lake Northern) fielding error allowed Krause to round third base and score from second base, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.

In the ensuing inning, the Eagles fought back, knotting things up when McGeein recorded his first home run of the season, sending a pitch from Talley over the left field fence to tie the game at one run apiece.

EMU took a one-run lead in the third. Rubino led off the frame with a single into center field before stealing second during the next at-bat. John Montgomery (Anaheim Hills, Calif.-JSerra) advanced Rubino to third when he flew out to left center field. Peterson stepped to the plate and hit a grounder toward third and Rubino took off, scoring the Green and White's final run of the day.

Following the top of the third, there was a lull in scoring until the bottom of the eighth when Arizona rattled off three runs. Kevin Newman led off the inning with a bunt single before moving up to second on a throwing error by Andrews. Krause then put Newman on third with a sacrifice bunt which he reached base due to a fielder's choice before a second throwing error by Andrews allowed Newman to cross the plate to tie the game at two. In the ensuing at-bat Kraus stole third base then scored on a J.J. Matijevic groundout, giving the Wildcats a 3-2 lead. Later in the inning, Dalbec ripped a double and later scored on a Michael Hoard pinch-hit single, putting UA up 4-2. Arizona tacked on two more runs in the eighth before holding the Eagles scoreless in the ninth and came away with a 6-2 victory to complete the sweep of EMU.

The Green and White return to the diamond Friday, Feb. 20, when it travels to Saint Mary's (Calif.) for the first of a four-game set in Moraga, Calif. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. (PT).

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Team Stats

John Rubino

Mitchell McGeein

John Montgomery

Jordan Peterson

Players Mentioned

Jake Andrews

Sam Delaplane

Michael Marsinek

Mitchell McGeein

John Montgomery

Jordan Peterson

John Rubino

Brennan Williams

Players Mentioned

Jake Andrews

Sam Delaplane

Michael Marsinek

Mitchell McGeein

John Montgomery

Jordan Peterson

John Rubino

Brennan Williams

Eastern Michigan Athletics