Eastern Michigan Athletics
Tuesday, March 29
Varsity Field
1 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Detroit
Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography
Eagles Host Detroit in Home Opener
3/28/2016 3:59:00 PM | Softball
EMU will open the home portion of the 2016 slate versus Detroit
| Softball vs. Detroit | |
| Date | Tuesday, March 29 |
| Location | Ypsilanti, Mich. | Varsity Field |
| Game Notes | EMU Notes |
| Live Stats | EMUEagles.com |
| Live Audio | Eagles All-Access |
| @EMUSoftball | @EMUAthletics | |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - Off to its hottest start in Mid-American Conference play since the 2013 campaign, the Eastern Michigan University softball team is set to host the University of Detroit Mercy Tuesday, March 29. The non-conference doubleheader opens the home portion of the Eagles' 2016 slate with first pitch at Varsity Field scheduled for 1 p.m.
Fans can follow the action via live stats, Twitter (@EMUSoftball), or by tuning into the Eagles All-Access broadcast where Greg Steiner and Sean Hostetter will be on the call.
KEYS TO VICTORY: Through the first 23 games on the season, several things have proven to be indicators of Eastern Michigan's success. The Green and White hold an 8-3 record when scoring in the first inning, and sit at 10-1 on the year when outhitting its opponent. Additionally, the Eagles are 7-0 when leading after six innings and 7-2 when scoring six or more runs.
AKLES NAMED MAC WEST CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Following an offensive outburst at the plate last week, freshman Amanda Akles was named Mid-American Conference West Division Co-Player of the Week. Akles finished the week 8-for-12 with 11 RBIs. Her strongest day at the dish came in EMU's second game versus Akron. The La Habra, Calif. native went 4-for-4 while falling a triple shy of the cycle with two homers and a double to go along with a program record seven RBIs.
The conference's announcement marked the second time this season an Eagle had been recognized by the league office, the most since the 2013 season.
TALE OF THE TAPE: Tuesday's midweek tilt with the Titans marks the 54th all-time meeting between the Eagles and Detroit. The Green and White hold a substantial edge in the series, leading the Titans by nearly 40 victories, 46-7. The two squads split last season's doubleheader in the Motor City, as the Eagles took game one 11-8 and the Titans bested EMU, 8-7, in extras in game two.
TAKING ON THE MITTEN: The Eagles have squared off against schools hailing from the state of Michigan 391 times in EMU's history. The Green and White have been most successful against Detroit, holding a 46-7 lead in the all-time series while clashing with Western Michigan most often. In 106 all-time meetings, the Broncos hold a 42-63-1 edge over the Eagles. EMU owns winning records against Grand Valley (2-0) and Oakland (17-5-1), but trail in the all-time series with Michigan (8-57), Michigan State (14-28), and Central Michigan (30-70-1).
In her two seasons in charge of the Eagles, Head Coach Melissa Gentile has compiled a 4-14 record against in-state competition, highlighted by a win over Michigan State last year. This season's slate includes 12 games against teams that also call Michigan home - Michigan (L, 14-1), Michigan State, Detroit, Central Michigan, Oakland, and Western Michigan.
POWER PROVES GREATER THAN PITCHING: Entering the opening weekend of conference play, Akron held the league's best earned run average. Boasting a team ERA of 1.97, the Eagles tagged the Zips pitching staff for 17 runs over the three-game series.
WINNING THE SERIES: Taking two of three games from Akron, March 25-26, the Eagles won their first Mid-American Conference series since 2013. Additionally, the series win marked the first time the Eagles have defeated a MAC opponent on the road twice in the same season since 2012. That year, the Green and White swept Buffalo in its conference opener.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: After opening the season with a 27-game road stint, the Eagles will finally play at Varsity Field. Playing host to the Titans of Detroit, the Green and White will look to win its home opener for the first time since 2013 when the Eagles topped Oakland, 6-5.
Eastern Michigan holds an 8-18 record at its home diamond which under head coach Melissa Gentile.
HITTING HER WAY INTO THE RECORD BOOKS: In her first 27 games, freshman Amanda Akles has put together one of the strongest starts to a career that the Eagles have ever seen. Akles' offensive outburst fueled EMU to a series win over Akron and etched her name into the record books once again. Hitting two homers in a game for the second time this season, Akles is one of 10 players in EMU history to accomplish the task, while she is one of four to do it twice. Additionally, Akles' pair of round-trippers highlighted a 4-for-4 effort at the plate. Her four hits ranks second in program history single game records. Tallying seven RBIs in the contest, Akles set the program record for runs driven in. She had previously tied the mark, registering six RBIs earlier this season.
LAST TIME OUT: Eastern Michigan wrapped up the weekend taking 2-of-3 from the Zips of Akron, March 25-26. After being upended in game one, 4-3, the Eagles responded with a Saturday sweep. A seven-RBI performance by freshman Amanda Akles led the Green and White to a 11-5 victory before junior Abbie Minsker turned in a complete game gem to best UA in a pitcher's duel, 3-1.
TAKING ON THE TITANS: Detroit travels to Varsity Field with hopes of snapping a seven-game road skid and improving upon its 6-24 overall record. The Titans most recently dropped a three-game Horizon League series to the University of Illinois - Chicago.
The Titans have struggled at the plate this season, holding a team batting average of .214, Detroit averages less than three runs per game.
Having scored four or more runs on seven occasions this season, the Titans have been held to one run or less 16 times. Alyssa James holds the team's best batting average, sitting at .304 with 21 hits in 69 at bats.
Meanwhile, in the circle the Titans have utilized six different pitchers through the team's first 30 contests. With a team earned run average of 5.85, Detroit has allowed 191 runs on 244 hits while opponents have hit a blistering .324 off the Titans. As a staff, Detroit has fanned 99 and yielded 128 walks while control issues have resulted in 33 wild pitches and 19 plunked batters.
Fans can follow the action via live stats, Twitter (@EMUSoftball), or by tuning into the Eagles All-Access broadcast where Greg Steiner and Sean Hostetter will be on the call.
KEYS TO VICTORY: Through the first 23 games on the season, several things have proven to be indicators of Eastern Michigan's success. The Green and White hold an 8-3 record when scoring in the first inning, and sit at 10-1 on the year when outhitting its opponent. Additionally, the Eagles are 7-0 when leading after six innings and 7-2 when scoring six or more runs.
AKLES NAMED MAC WEST CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Following an offensive outburst at the plate last week, freshman Amanda Akles was named Mid-American Conference West Division Co-Player of the Week. Akles finished the week 8-for-12 with 11 RBIs. Her strongest day at the dish came in EMU's second game versus Akron. The La Habra, Calif. native went 4-for-4 while falling a triple shy of the cycle with two homers and a double to go along with a program record seven RBIs.
The conference's announcement marked the second time this season an Eagle had been recognized by the league office, the most since the 2013 season.
TALE OF THE TAPE: Tuesday's midweek tilt with the Titans marks the 54th all-time meeting between the Eagles and Detroit. The Green and White hold a substantial edge in the series, leading the Titans by nearly 40 victories, 46-7. The two squads split last season's doubleheader in the Motor City, as the Eagles took game one 11-8 and the Titans bested EMU, 8-7, in extras in game two.
TAKING ON THE MITTEN: The Eagles have squared off against schools hailing from the state of Michigan 391 times in EMU's history. The Green and White have been most successful against Detroit, holding a 46-7 lead in the all-time series while clashing with Western Michigan most often. In 106 all-time meetings, the Broncos hold a 42-63-1 edge over the Eagles. EMU owns winning records against Grand Valley (2-0) and Oakland (17-5-1), but trail in the all-time series with Michigan (8-57), Michigan State (14-28), and Central Michigan (30-70-1).
In her two seasons in charge of the Eagles, Head Coach Melissa Gentile has compiled a 4-14 record against in-state competition, highlighted by a win over Michigan State last year. This season's slate includes 12 games against teams that also call Michigan home - Michigan (L, 14-1), Michigan State, Detroit, Central Michigan, Oakland, and Western Michigan.
POWER PROVES GREATER THAN PITCHING: Entering the opening weekend of conference play, Akron held the league's best earned run average. Boasting a team ERA of 1.97, the Eagles tagged the Zips pitching staff for 17 runs over the three-game series.
WINNING THE SERIES: Taking two of three games from Akron, March 25-26, the Eagles won their first Mid-American Conference series since 2013. Additionally, the series win marked the first time the Eagles have defeated a MAC opponent on the road twice in the same season since 2012. That year, the Green and White swept Buffalo in its conference opener.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: After opening the season with a 27-game road stint, the Eagles will finally play at Varsity Field. Playing host to the Titans of Detroit, the Green and White will look to win its home opener for the first time since 2013 when the Eagles topped Oakland, 6-5.
Eastern Michigan holds an 8-18 record at its home diamond which under head coach Melissa Gentile.
HITTING HER WAY INTO THE RECORD BOOKS: In her first 27 games, freshman Amanda Akles has put together one of the strongest starts to a career that the Eagles have ever seen. Akles' offensive outburst fueled EMU to a series win over Akron and etched her name into the record books once again. Hitting two homers in a game for the second time this season, Akles is one of 10 players in EMU history to accomplish the task, while she is one of four to do it twice. Additionally, Akles' pair of round-trippers highlighted a 4-for-4 effort at the plate. Her four hits ranks second in program history single game records. Tallying seven RBIs in the contest, Akles set the program record for runs driven in. She had previously tied the mark, registering six RBIs earlier this season.
LAST TIME OUT: Eastern Michigan wrapped up the weekend taking 2-of-3 from the Zips of Akron, March 25-26. After being upended in game one, 4-3, the Eagles responded with a Saturday sweep. A seven-RBI performance by freshman Amanda Akles led the Green and White to a 11-5 victory before junior Abbie Minsker turned in a complete game gem to best UA in a pitcher's duel, 3-1.
TAKING ON THE TITANS: Detroit travels to Varsity Field with hopes of snapping a seven-game road skid and improving upon its 6-24 overall record. The Titans most recently dropped a three-game Horizon League series to the University of Illinois - Chicago.
The Titans have struggled at the plate this season, holding a team batting average of .214, Detroit averages less than three runs per game.
Having scored four or more runs on seven occasions this season, the Titans have been held to one run or less 16 times. Alyssa James holds the team's best batting average, sitting at .304 with 21 hits in 69 at bats.
Meanwhile, in the circle the Titans have utilized six different pitchers through the team's first 30 contests. With a team earned run average of 5.85, Detroit has allowed 191 runs on 244 hits while opponents have hit a blistering .324 off the Titans. As a staff, Detroit has fanned 99 and yielded 128 walks while control issues have resulted in 33 wild pitches and 19 plunked batters.
Players Mentioned
3B/1B
/ Softball
P
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