Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, May 6
Oestrike Stadium
4 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Kent State
Photo by: Andrew Mascharka
Eagles Welcome MAC Leading Kent State for Weekend Series
5/4/2017 4:29:00 PM | Baseball
The third-place Eagles will look to keep pace in the conference standings
| Baseball vs Kent State (28-13, 12-3 MAC) | |
| Date | Friday-Sunday, May 5-7 |
| Venue | Ypsilanti, Mich. | Oestrike Stadium |
| Game Notes | EMU Notes |
| Live Stats | EMUEagles.com |
| Audio | Eagle All-Access |
| @EMUBaseball | |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University baseball team returns home after a nine-game road trip when it welcomes Mid-American Conference leader Kent State University to Oestrike Stadium for a three-game series, May 5-7. The weekend begins with a Friday evening contest set for 6 p.m, followed by a 3 p.m. start on Saturday and a 1 p.m. first pitch on Sunday.
The action can be tracked live on Twitter by following @EMU_Baseball. Live stats and a radio stream will be available through EMUEagles.com as well, with veteran broadcasters Chad Bush and Greg Steiner on the call.
ALL-TIME VS THE GOLDEN FLASHES: The Eagles and Golden Flashes have met 109 times in their respective histories, with KSU holding the all-time advantage, 65-44. Last season, EMU and KSU met a whopping six times, three in the regular season and three more times in the MAC Tournament. Kent State took five of the six contests, sweeping the regular season series at EMU, and winning two of three in the tournament as the number one seed.
GETTING A LOOK AT THE GOLDEN FLASHES: Kent State enters the weekend in sole position of first place in the MAC with a 12-3 conference record, as well as an overall mark of 28-13. The Golden Flashes also own a stout record of 18-9 in true road contests, and have won all five MAC series of the season over Ball State, Buffalo, Northern Illinois, Toledo, and second place Central Michigan last weekend.
KSU's offense ranks second in the MAC with a team batting average of .305. Kent State currently out-score opponents, 258-184, while out-hitting them, 451-337. Seven regular starters hit above .300, led by conference average leader Luke Burch, who's batting .379, good for 37th in the nation.
Kent State is equally as dangerous on the mound, as it has the best staff ERA in the MAC with a 3.75 mark. The Golden Flashes hold opponents to a .244 average, and have struck-out 367 batters to just 153 walks. Kent's rotation holds ERA's of 2.71, 5.40, and a conference-best 2.47, respectively.
MATTSON NAMED MAC WEST CO-PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Junior Brent Mattson was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Baseball Co-Pitcher of the Week, the conference announced, May 4. Mattson shared the weekly honor with Central Michigan's Michael Brettell.
Mattson powered EMU to victory in the 4-0 series finale victory over Buffalo, April 30. The right hander went seven innings without yielding a run, only allowing five hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters. The 10 K's marked a career-high for the junior.
It is the second weekly award of the season for Mattson, and the fourth of the year for EMU. It was the first time EMU has had four POTW since 2012.
MIODUSZEWSKI REWRITING THE RECORD BOOK: Redshirt senior Mike Mioduszewski has been one of EMU's top offensive threats in his four years at EMU, and he is beginning to see it pay off by seeing his name etched in the EMU record book in multiple offensive categories. Currently he ranks in the top-25 for hits (23rd, 181), RBIs (25th, 102), doubles (t-24th, 31), and home runs (25th, 16). He has done this in the tied for 12th most at bats in EMU history with 686.
RETURN OF THE MAC: Through 15 games of the MAC season, EMU currently sits in second in the West and third overall with a 9-6 mark. EMU has matched its MAC win total from 2015, Head Coach Mark Van Ameyde's first season at the helm, and is one away from its total in 2016. This is EMU's best 15-game start since starting 9-6 in 2011.
DELAPLANE DELIVERING THE GOODS: Senior Sam Delaplane is putting together a fine final season in the Green and White. The closer turned Friday night starter leads EMU with a 2.70 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 15 appearances (seven starts) and 56.2 innings. His ERA ranks third in the conference, while his strikeout total is second in the MAC. His 184 career strikeouts rank 11th in Eastern Michigan laurels. In his last five outings, Delaplane has recorded 45 K's, including a career-high 12 against Ohio, April 14. Delaplane is also ranked tied for fourth in all-time saves with 10.
MASHING MONTGOMERY: Senior John Montgomery has been the spark plug in the EMU offense in his final season, leading EMU in seven offensive categories. He is also the team leader with 12 multi-RBI games and six three-hit contests and had a 22-game reached base streak. Additionally, Montgomery is also second in the MAC with nine home runs.
GOTTA EARN THOSE RUNS: Since entering MAC play, Matthew Beaton has been almost unhittable. The senior relief pitcher has not allowed an earned run in 9.1 MAC innings, the second highest inning total without yielding an earned run in conference this season. For his career, Beaton holds a 3.40 ERA in 100.2 innings pitched.
RUN EAGLES RUN: Just a season after finishing in the top-5 in steals in the country, EMU has not equaled that output this season, but are still in the top half of the nation in steals. Currently, EMU ranks second in the MAC and 66th in the nation with 53 stolen bases. Leading the way is redshirt senior Marquise Gill, who is second in the MAC with 13 steals. His 58 career steals ranks 10th in EMU history.
WILLIAMS NAMED COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT: Junior Brennan Williams was named to the Academic All-District Baseball Team in District Five by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), May 4. It is the second Academic All-District honor of Williams' career, as he earned the award last season as well. The designated hitter currently holds a 3.70 GPA in supply chain management.
TAKE YOUR BASE: Thus far on the season, EMU has taken what the opposing pitching staffs have offered, drawing 185 walks as a team, which ranks third in the MAC and 74th in the country. The Eagles are on pace to shatter last year's walk total, as 45 games into 2016, EMU had just 138 bases on balls.
ALL-TIME IN THE MAC : 2017 marks the 45th season EMU has participated in the Mid-American Conference as a program. Eastern holds a 574-529-3 all-time record in conference play. The program owns five regular season championships, as well as four tournament championships, most recently in 2008.
ALL-TIME AT OESTRIKE: 2017 marks the 47th season at the friendly confines of Oestrike Stadium. In the long standing history of the field, EMU holds a 522-367-2 record at the stadium. Of the 46 previous seasons, 33 have resulted in winning home records for Eastern. So far in 2017, EMU is 6-2 at home.
APRIL SHOWERS BRING...: Entering the month of April, EMU had just seven home runs in a 24-game span. In the 20 games in the month of April, EMU brought the rain, clubbing 17 home runs. Leading the way was John Montgomery, who had a team-high six in April. As a team, EMU's 24 dingers are fifth in the MAC.
IMPACT FRESHMEN IN THE INFIELD: This season, EMU has often relied on 'true' freshmen in starting roles. In 45 games, freshmen have combined to make 122 starts in the infield, led by Nick Jones, who has 34 starts at third base and catcher.
SPARTANS ON THE HORIZON: Eastern will play its penultimate midweek game in the road portion of a home-and-home series against the Michigan State Spartans, Wednesday, May 10. First pitch from East Lansing is set for 4:05 p.m.
The action can be tracked live on Twitter by following @EMU_Baseball. Live stats and a radio stream will be available through EMUEagles.com as well, with veteran broadcasters Chad Bush and Greg Steiner on the call.
ALL-TIME VS THE GOLDEN FLASHES: The Eagles and Golden Flashes have met 109 times in their respective histories, with KSU holding the all-time advantage, 65-44. Last season, EMU and KSU met a whopping six times, three in the regular season and three more times in the MAC Tournament. Kent State took five of the six contests, sweeping the regular season series at EMU, and winning two of three in the tournament as the number one seed.
GETTING A LOOK AT THE GOLDEN FLASHES: Kent State enters the weekend in sole position of first place in the MAC with a 12-3 conference record, as well as an overall mark of 28-13. The Golden Flashes also own a stout record of 18-9 in true road contests, and have won all five MAC series of the season over Ball State, Buffalo, Northern Illinois, Toledo, and second place Central Michigan last weekend.
KSU's offense ranks second in the MAC with a team batting average of .305. Kent State currently out-score opponents, 258-184, while out-hitting them, 451-337. Seven regular starters hit above .300, led by conference average leader Luke Burch, who's batting .379, good for 37th in the nation.
Kent State is equally as dangerous on the mound, as it has the best staff ERA in the MAC with a 3.75 mark. The Golden Flashes hold opponents to a .244 average, and have struck-out 367 batters to just 153 walks. Kent's rotation holds ERA's of 2.71, 5.40, and a conference-best 2.47, respectively.
MATTSON NAMED MAC WEST CO-PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Junior Brent Mattson was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Baseball Co-Pitcher of the Week, the conference announced, May 4. Mattson shared the weekly honor with Central Michigan's Michael Brettell.
Mattson powered EMU to victory in the 4-0 series finale victory over Buffalo, April 30. The right hander went seven innings without yielding a run, only allowing five hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters. The 10 K's marked a career-high for the junior.
It is the second weekly award of the season for Mattson, and the fourth of the year for EMU. It was the first time EMU has had four POTW since 2012.
MIODUSZEWSKI REWRITING THE RECORD BOOK: Redshirt senior Mike Mioduszewski has been one of EMU's top offensive threats in his four years at EMU, and he is beginning to see it pay off by seeing his name etched in the EMU record book in multiple offensive categories. Currently he ranks in the top-25 for hits (23rd, 181), RBIs (25th, 102), doubles (t-24th, 31), and home runs (25th, 16). He has done this in the tied for 12th most at bats in EMU history with 686.
RETURN OF THE MAC: Through 15 games of the MAC season, EMU currently sits in second in the West and third overall with a 9-6 mark. EMU has matched its MAC win total from 2015, Head Coach Mark Van Ameyde's first season at the helm, and is one away from its total in 2016. This is EMU's best 15-game start since starting 9-6 in 2011.
DELAPLANE DELIVERING THE GOODS: Senior Sam Delaplane is putting together a fine final season in the Green and White. The closer turned Friday night starter leads EMU with a 2.70 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 15 appearances (seven starts) and 56.2 innings. His ERA ranks third in the conference, while his strikeout total is second in the MAC. His 184 career strikeouts rank 11th in Eastern Michigan laurels. In his last five outings, Delaplane has recorded 45 K's, including a career-high 12 against Ohio, April 14. Delaplane is also ranked tied for fourth in all-time saves with 10.
MASHING MONTGOMERY: Senior John Montgomery has been the spark plug in the EMU offense in his final season, leading EMU in seven offensive categories. He is also the team leader with 12 multi-RBI games and six three-hit contests and had a 22-game reached base streak. Additionally, Montgomery is also second in the MAC with nine home runs.
GOTTA EARN THOSE RUNS: Since entering MAC play, Matthew Beaton has been almost unhittable. The senior relief pitcher has not allowed an earned run in 9.1 MAC innings, the second highest inning total without yielding an earned run in conference this season. For his career, Beaton holds a 3.40 ERA in 100.2 innings pitched.
RUN EAGLES RUN: Just a season after finishing in the top-5 in steals in the country, EMU has not equaled that output this season, but are still in the top half of the nation in steals. Currently, EMU ranks second in the MAC and 66th in the nation with 53 stolen bases. Leading the way is redshirt senior Marquise Gill, who is second in the MAC with 13 steals. His 58 career steals ranks 10th in EMU history.
WILLIAMS NAMED COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT: Junior Brennan Williams was named to the Academic All-District Baseball Team in District Five by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), May 4. It is the second Academic All-District honor of Williams' career, as he earned the award last season as well. The designated hitter currently holds a 3.70 GPA in supply chain management.
TAKE YOUR BASE: Thus far on the season, EMU has taken what the opposing pitching staffs have offered, drawing 185 walks as a team, which ranks third in the MAC and 74th in the country. The Eagles are on pace to shatter last year's walk total, as 45 games into 2016, EMU had just 138 bases on balls.
ALL-TIME IN THE MAC : 2017 marks the 45th season EMU has participated in the Mid-American Conference as a program. Eastern holds a 574-529-3 all-time record in conference play. The program owns five regular season championships, as well as four tournament championships, most recently in 2008.
ALL-TIME AT OESTRIKE: 2017 marks the 47th season at the friendly confines of Oestrike Stadium. In the long standing history of the field, EMU holds a 522-367-2 record at the stadium. Of the 46 previous seasons, 33 have resulted in winning home records for Eastern. So far in 2017, EMU is 6-2 at home.
APRIL SHOWERS BRING...: Entering the month of April, EMU had just seven home runs in a 24-game span. In the 20 games in the month of April, EMU brought the rain, clubbing 17 home runs. Leading the way was John Montgomery, who had a team-high six in April. As a team, EMU's 24 dingers are fifth in the MAC.
IMPACT FRESHMEN IN THE INFIELD: This season, EMU has often relied on 'true' freshmen in starting roles. In 45 games, freshmen have combined to make 122 starts in the infield, led by Nick Jones, who has 34 starts at third base and catcher.
SPARTANS ON THE HORIZON: Eastern will play its penultimate midweek game in the road portion of a home-and-home series against the Michigan State Spartans, Wednesday, May 10. First pitch from East Lansing is set for 4:05 p.m.
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