Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
9-14
Oakland
12-11
Baseball Falls Short Against the Golden Grizzlies, 7-4
3/30/2016 8:36:00 PM | Baseball
It was the fifth time EMU has lost when tying or out-hitting an opponent
The Eagles (9-14, 3-0 MAC) tied OU in hits with seven, marking the fifth time this year they have lost when tying or out-hitting an opponent. Leading the charge was senior Mitchell McGeein (Calgary, Alberta-Vauxhall) who went 3-for-4 with a career-high four RBI's.
The Golden Grizzlies (12-11, 4-2 Horizon) struck first in the first with a three-run homer after a hit batter and single. Starter senior Austin Wilson (Valrico, Fla.-Bloomingdale Sr.) escaped the frame without any further damage, striking out a pair.
EMU immediately responded in the bottom of the first with a couple of runs. After the first two batters reached on a hit by pitch and walk, then advanced on a double steal, McGeein knocked them in with an RBI single. After one, OU led 3-2.
Both starters went to work through the next three innings, including Wilson who went the next 2.1 innings without giving up another hit, and striking out one more. After four the score remained a one-run affair, 3-2.
The Eagles leapt ahead in the bottom of the fifth with two more runs driven in by McGeein. After a single and hit by pitch, followed by the second double steal of the evening, McGeein lined a single over the shortstop to drive in a pair.
OU was quick to answer though, striking back for two runs in the top of the sixth on a two-run base hit. The Golden Grizzlies held a 5-4 lead after six innings. In the following innings, senior reliever Michael Marsinek (Streetsboro, Ohio-Walsh Jesuit) kept things close for EMU, throwing 2.1 scoreless innings, while striking out a pair. He has not allowed an earned run in his last 8.2 innings of work.
The Grizzlies tacked on some insurance in the top of the ninth with a two-out, two-RBI double, giving OU a 7-4 lead into EMU's final turn at bat. Despite getting the tying run to the plate in the ninth, EMU couldn't level the score, dropping it by the three-run deficit.
Eastern re-enters conference play this weekend with a three-game set against the University at Buffalo. The series, which will be played in Olean, N.Y., begins with a double header Friday, April 1, beginning at noon.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Luke McCatty (1-0)
L: Mattson, Brent (0-1)
S: Logan Sparkman (1)
Batting:
2B: Ian Yetsko 1 ; Jordan Jackson 1
HR: Mike Brosseau 1
RBI: Mike Brosseau 3 ; Ian Yetsko 2 ; Mike McGee 2
SH: Zach Sterry 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Myles Zilinsky 2 ; Zach Sterry 1 ; Mike Brosseau 2 ; Connor Fannon 1 ; Jordan Jackson 1
SB: Zach Sterry 1 ; Mike Brosseau 1
CS: Myles Zilinsky 1
HBP: Myles Zilinsky 1
Batting:
2B: Lubin, Drake 1
RBI: McGeein, Mitchell 4
SH: Lett, David 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Gill, Marquise 2 ; Stidham, Jeremy 1 ; Lett, David 1
SB: Gill, Marquise 2 ; Stidham, Jeremy 1 ; Lett, David 1
HBP: Gill, Marquise 1 ; Stidham, Jeremy 1 ; Wolanski, Alex 1
PO: McGeein, Mitchell 2
