Eagles Drop Series Opener to Santa Clara, 8-2

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball team opened up a four-game set Friday, Feb. 27, at Santa Clara University. The Broncos (5-3) scored six runs in the first two innings and coasted to an 8-2 victory over the Eagles (3-7) in the series opener at Stephen Schott Stadium.

Senior Ryan Lavoie (Sterling Heights, Mich.-Stevenson) (1-2) took the loss on the hill after pitching six innings, allowing six runs on eight hits and striking out a season-high six Broncos. Lavoie gave up six runs in the first two frames, but shut out the Broncos in his final four innings of work. Matthew Beaton (Guelph, Ontario-Bishop Macdonnell Catholic) worked the final two innings, allowing no runs on one hit. Jacob Steffens (2-1) picked up the victory for the Broncos. Steffens allowed just one run on eight hits while striking out eight in his third start of the season.

The Green and White posted eight hits, but stranded 11 on base and were 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Brennan Williams (Commerce Township, Mich.-Walled Lake Northern) was the only Eagle with multiple hits as the freshman went 2-for-2 and recorded his third multi-hit game of his freshman campaign. Junior Jackson Martin (Listowel, Ontario-Listowel) picked up his first hit of the season in pinch hit duties and also recorded an RBI as well. Mitchell McGeein (Calgary, Alberta-Vauxhall) picked up the Green and White's other RBI in the contest.

Santa Clara recorded nine hits, including a 4-for-6 mark with runners on third and less than two outs. Jose Vizcaino Jr. led the Broncos at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three doubles, two RBI, and a pair of runs. Jake Brodt and T.J. Braff also picked up a pair of RBI for the Broncos.

EMU opened up the scoring in the top of the first inning when McGeein roped a two-out single down the left field line for an RBI single. John Rubino (Scottsdale, Ariz.-Horizon) who led off the game with a walk came around to score on the play to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. Santa Clara jumped on Lavoie early, however, and scored three runs on three hits in the bottom half of the first to take a 3-1 lead.

The Bronco lead grew in the second when Jose Vizcaino Jr. continued his impressive start to the 2015 campaign with a two-run double to left field. Vizcaino Jr. scored later in the inning to extend the Santa Clara lead to 6-1.

The Eagles had chances to cut into the deficit, but could not push anything across against Steffens after the first inning. EMU posted six hits over the next four frames, but left six runners on base in those innings.

SCU held onto its 6-1 lead until the seventh inning, when the Broncos took advantage of a pair of walks and a hit batter to extend its lead out to 8-1.

Eastern tacked on another run in the ninth inning when Martin was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs. Martin's first RBI of the season made the score 8-2 and kept the bases loaded, but Michael Bono was able to strike out McGeein to end the game.

The Eagles continue the series against Santa Clara tomorrow, Feb. 28, with a single game against the Broncos set to begin at 6 p.m. PT. The doubleheader between EMU and SCU originally scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28, has been moved to Sunday, March 1, at Stephen Schott Stadium.

Next Event

Team Stats

Brennan Williams

Jordan Peterson

Jackson Martin

Mitchell McGeein

Players Mentioned

Matthew Beaton

Ryan Lavoie

Jackson Martin

Mitchell McGeein

John Rubino

Brennan Williams

Players Mentioned

Matthew Beaton

Ryan Lavoie

Jackson Martin

Mitchell McGeein

John Rubino

Brennan Williams

Eastern Michigan Athletics