Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, February 16
Madeira Beach, Fla.
11 a.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
UMKC
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Eagles Kick Off 2018 at EMU Madeira Beach Invitational
2/14/2018 5:07:00 PM | Softball
Eastern will play five games over the three-day span
| Softball at EMU Madeira Beach Invitational | |
| Date | Friday-Sunday, Feb. 16-18 |
| Venue | Madeira Beach, Fla. |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes | Tournament Central |
| Live Stats | Fan Stats | Media Stats |
| @EMUSoftball | @EMUAthletics | |
MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University softball team opens its 2018 season under the helm of fifth-year head coach Melissa Gentile, Feb. 16-18, at the first of three weekends of the EMU Madeira Beach Invitational.
Eastern Michigan will square off against five teams over the three-day span, beginning with an 11 a.m tilt against UMKC Friday, Feb. 16. Following the contest against the Roos, the Eagles will battle George Mason at 1:30 p.m. before taking on Monmouth Saturday at 6:30 p.m. The Eagles will then close out the weekend with games against Virginia and Georgia Southern Sunday Feb. 18 at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., respectively.
Fans can follow the action through live stats, with updates provided via Twitter, @EMUSoftball.
MADEIRA BEACH SUCCESS: The Eagles have found success competing at the EMU Madeira Beach Invitational since the tournament began in 2015, compiling a 13-8 record in the annual event. In the three years of its existence, Eastern has finished each year with a winning record. Last year, the Green and White racked up a 6-5 record over the span of two weekends after going 3-2 and 4-1 in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
TURNING THE TIDE IN SEASON OPENERS: The Eagles have accumulated a 19-17-1 record in season openers since the program came into existence in 1981. Eastern Michigan is looking to replicate last year's season opener when the Eagles downed Boston, 7-6.
EAGLES IN THE SUNSHINE STATE: Since the 2014 season, the Eagles hold a 20-25 record when playing in the state of Florida. After compiling a 4-11 mark in Head Coach Melissa Gentile's first season at the helm, the Eagles have won 16-of-30 games in the Sunshine State since. Last season, EMU posted a 6-6 record in 12 games played in Florida.
TALE OF THE TAPE: Eastern holds a 13-9 all-time record against this weekend's opponents, including a 2-2 mark under the direction of Head Coach Melissa Gentile. Friday's battle versus UMKC pits the Eagles against the Roos for the ninth time in program history. Eastern fell to UMKC, 7-2, in the last matchup, March 22, 2015, to even the all-time series at four. On the flip side, the Green and White maintains an unblemished record against George Mason, having defeated the Patriots in two previous meetings. Most recently, EMU blasted GMU, 9-1, in just five innings, Feb. 21, 2016, at EMU Madeira Beach Invitational.
Saturday's showdown with Monmouth will be the first meeting between the Eagles and the Hawks, while Virginia is the opponent in which Eastern is the most familiar with, having squared off 11 times previously. EMU owns a 6-5 all-time tally, and recently bested UVA, 3-1, Feb. 7, 2014.
Sunday's game between Eastern and Georgia Southern will be just the second time the two teams have met. In the last Eagles vs. Eagles showdown, EMU came out on top, 8-7, Feb. 28, 2010.
REPLACING THE HEAVY HITTERS: With the loss of Michelle Kriegshauser and Taylor Wagner, the Eagles will need to rely on a mix of veterans and newcomers to make up for the power hitters lost. Eastern returns Amanda Akles who swings a big bat as she ranked second on the team last season in home runs (7) and RBIs (20). Overall, EMU returns 69 percent of its run production from 2017.
The Eagles also add freshmen Casey Skeens and Lauren Holdsworth to the mix, both concluding their high school senior seasons with a batting average above .500. Skeens had a blistering .563 at the plate, while Holdsworth was hitting at a whopping .547.
PITCHING POWER RETURNS: Under first-year pitching coach Sara Driesenga, the Eagles benefit from the return of a veteran duo in the circle. As a junior, Trisha Trujillo led the staff in earned run average (3.99), wins (8), and appearances (36). Meanwhile, Nicolle Miranda was a workhorse in the circle, leading EMU in complete games (6), shutouts (2), innings pitched (130.2), strikeouts (62), and opponent batting average (.290).
MAKING MOVES: For the fourth consecutive season under Melissa Gentile, the Eagles will transition a player to a new post on the field. Gentile has had a trend of moving infielders to the outfield, but in 2018, she is moving in reverse as Alex Peters will make the move from outfield to pitcher. In 2017, Haley Hostetler moved from shortstop to center, while Abby Davidson went from third base to outfield in 2016. Jenn Lucas also made the transition when she moved from second base to center in 2015.
MAKING THEIR ROUNDS: In addition to a grueling Mid-American Conference schedule, Eastern Michigan will square off with teams from 15 different leagues this season, including two Power-5 conferences. The Eagles will take on three teams from the Atlantic 10, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference, and Ohio Valley, while playing a pair of teams from the Big Ten and Southland Conference. Additionally, EMU will battle teams hailing from the Western Athletic Conference, Sun Belt Conference, Conference USA, America East Conference, Southwestern Athletic Conference, Northeastern Conference, Missouri Valley Conference, and Summit League throughout the year.
UP AGAINST UMKC: The Roos travel to Madeira Beach after posting a 2-3 record at the UNI-Dome Classic in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Feb. 9-11.
The Roos' offense was stout as IMKC hit .288 at the plate as a team, posting 38 hits in 132 at bats.
Inside the circle, UMKC came away with a team earned run average of 5.03 over opening weekend, with four pitchers making appearances. The Roo's surrendered 29 runs, 23 of which were earned, while striking out 10.
THE GEORGE MASON INSIDER: George Mason is set to open the season against the Eagles Friday, Feb. 16, at 1:30 p.m. The Patriots are coming off a season in which they pieced together a 23-33 record.
At the plate, GMU returns three of its top-five hitters from 2017, including Alyssa Lawton, who hit a team-best .313 last season.
George Mason also returns its entire pitching staff from last year, including ace Marina Vitalich. In 34 appearances, Vitalich went 14-13 and led the team with a 1.87 ERA.
FACING THE FIGHTING HAWKS: Opening its season at the EMU Madeira Beach Invitational, Monmouth looks to build off of a 25-31 record from a year ago.
The Hawks return four of their other top-five hitters. Last season, the foursome combined for 160 hits and 100 runs, 41.8 and 45.5 percent of the team's total, respectively.
Monmouth also return its top pitcher last year, Amanda Riley. Riley went 17-18 on the season, and recorded 241 strikeouts, while leading the team with a 2.59 ERA.
VYING THE VIRGINIA CAVALIERS: The Cavaliers enter the weekend with a 2-3 record after their opening weekend at the Cowgirl Classic, Feb. 8-10. There, Virginia dropped games to McNeese State and Tulsa, while picking up wins against Houston Baptist and Southern.
Despite the record, Virginia out-hit its opponents, 35-26, while outscoring them, 25-23, and posted a .273 batting average at the three-day tournament.
Owning a 4.29 team earned run average, Virginia pitchers have given up 23 runs, 19 of which were earned. The Cavaliers have struck out 14 and walked 41 in 31.0 innings of work.
THE EAGLES VS. THE EAGLES: The Georgia Southern Eagles enter the weekend owning a 3-1 record after a successful weekend at the Eagle Round Robin, Feb. 9-11. GSU locked up wins against Austin Peay and Murray State, before dropping a 7-5 decision against ETSU.
Offense was aplenty in the Eagles' first four games, as Georgia Southern outscored its opponents, 34-27, while hitting a blistering .309 batting average. Belting out 34 hits in 110 at bats, GSU tacked on 13 extra base hits, including four homeruns.
Overall, the pitching staff was solid, striking out 15 and compiling a 2.50 earned run average.
NOT AN EASY ROAD AHEAD: In taking a quick glance at the latest national polls, it is easy to see that the task that lies ahead for the Eagles is anything but easy. In fact, Eastern's annual meeting against Michigan will pit EMU against the current No. 19 ranked team, Wednesday, April 4. Additionally, Notre Dame is receiving votes in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches poll.
ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: In her two years donning the Green and White, junior Amanda Akles has proven herself to be a heavy hitter at the plate. Akles currently sits just outside the top-10 in career home runs with 14. After pounding seven home runs her freshman year, the La Habra, Calif. native matched that number in 2017. She is just two home runs away from tying Linsday Schmid and McKenna Russ at 16. At her current pace, she is set to finish her career third place all-time at 28 home runs, just one behind former teammate Michelle Kriesgshauser.
2018 LEADERSHIP COUNCIL: Leading the Eagles this season will be senior Angel Schilke, junior Alex Peters, sophomore Ariana Chretien, and freshman Casey Skeens.
The leadership council takes a different approach to traditional team captains, choosing one student-athlete from each class. Gentile and her staff leave the decision up to the players, as each class votes for who should represent them.
LEFT HAND MAGIC: With the addition of freshman Kiara Hurley to the pitching staff, Eastern Michigan sees its first left handed pitcher since Lauren Wells donned the Green and White from 2011-14. Wells etched herself on the record book during her years donning the Green and White, ranking second in EMU laurels in strikeouts (349), strikeouts looking (119), and strikeouts per seven innings pitched (6.37).
Meanwhile, Hurley was a standout pitcher at Maumee High School where she was named MVP her senior season after recording 200 strikeouts,over 160.1 innings, and had an earned run average of 2.36.
TOP RANKED FRESHMEN CLASS IN THE MAC: The Eastern Michigan freshmen class makes up the top-ranked class in the Mid-American Conference according to FloSoftball. A week after Head Coach Melissa Gentile inked Lauren Holdsworth, Sophia Holland, Kiara Hurley, and Casey Skeens, the group received recognition in FloSoftball's College Recruiting Class rankings, Nov. 21, 2017. The foursome ranked 62nd nationwide, just ahead of conference-foe Toledo. The Rockets were the only other MAC school listed in the rankings as they were slotted 70th in the nation. The announcement marked the only ranked class during Gentile's tenure at EMU.
2019 WILL BE MASSIVE: When the Eagles inked Gabby Campbell (Brunswick, Ohio-Brunswick), Kenna Garst (Petersburg, Mich.-St. Mary's Catholic Central), Dani Hall (Galloway, Ohio-Bishop Ready), Cheyenne Hindman (Harrisville, Pa.-Slipper Rock), Mia Hoveland (McFarland, Wisc.-McFarland), Chayse Skinner (Spring Hill, Fla.-Nature Coast Technical), and Julia Vollmer (South Lyon, Mich.-South Lyon East) on Nov. 28, 2017, it marked the largest recruiting class in the Gentile era, as well as the largest class since 2012 when the Eagles signed seven.
GROWING THE COACHING STAFF: Eastern Michigan revamped its coaching staff with the additions of Magali Frezzotti and Sara Driesenga. Frezzotti is an assistant coach, working primarily with the slappers and catchers, while Driesenga takes over pitching coach duties.
A 2012 graduate from Instituto Numero 1 Dr. Enrique Romero Brest, Frezzotti works primarily with the catchers and slappers. As a player, she has been a standout catcher for the Argentina National Team since 2005 and has participated in several championships before playing for the Akron Racers in the National Pro Fastpitch League during the 2016 season.
Driesenga, who also playing in the National Pro Fastpitch League as a member of the Scrap Yard Dawgs, was a standout pitcher for the University of Michigan. Donning the Maze and Blue, Driesenga was a five-year player and made two appearances in the Women's College World Series, where she pitched a complete-games shutout during her sophomore season.
ON DECK: Eastern remains in Florida for the second of three weekends of the EMU Madeira Beach Invitational Friday-Saturday, Feb. 23-25. The Eagles will first face off Rhode Island Friday, Feb. 23, at 11 a.m., before duking it out with the Manhattan Jaspers at 1:30 p.m. After a Saturday morning bout against Middle Tennessee, the Eagles will go head-to-head against Albany and Marist on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.
Eastern Michigan will square off against five teams over the three-day span, beginning with an 11 a.m tilt against UMKC Friday, Feb. 16. Following the contest against the Roos, the Eagles will battle George Mason at 1:30 p.m. before taking on Monmouth Saturday at 6:30 p.m. The Eagles will then close out the weekend with games against Virginia and Georgia Southern Sunday Feb. 18 at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., respectively.
Fans can follow the action through live stats, with updates provided via Twitter, @EMUSoftball.
MADEIRA BEACH SUCCESS: The Eagles have found success competing at the EMU Madeira Beach Invitational since the tournament began in 2015, compiling a 13-8 record in the annual event. In the three years of its existence, Eastern has finished each year with a winning record. Last year, the Green and White racked up a 6-5 record over the span of two weekends after going 3-2 and 4-1 in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
TURNING THE TIDE IN SEASON OPENERS: The Eagles have accumulated a 19-17-1 record in season openers since the program came into existence in 1981. Eastern Michigan is looking to replicate last year's season opener when the Eagles downed Boston, 7-6.
EAGLES IN THE SUNSHINE STATE: Since the 2014 season, the Eagles hold a 20-25 record when playing in the state of Florida. After compiling a 4-11 mark in Head Coach Melissa Gentile's first season at the helm, the Eagles have won 16-of-30 games in the Sunshine State since. Last season, EMU posted a 6-6 record in 12 games played in Florida.
TALE OF THE TAPE: Eastern holds a 13-9 all-time record against this weekend's opponents, including a 2-2 mark under the direction of Head Coach Melissa Gentile. Friday's battle versus UMKC pits the Eagles against the Roos for the ninth time in program history. Eastern fell to UMKC, 7-2, in the last matchup, March 22, 2015, to even the all-time series at four. On the flip side, the Green and White maintains an unblemished record against George Mason, having defeated the Patriots in two previous meetings. Most recently, EMU blasted GMU, 9-1, in just five innings, Feb. 21, 2016, at EMU Madeira Beach Invitational.
Saturday's showdown with Monmouth will be the first meeting between the Eagles and the Hawks, while Virginia is the opponent in which Eastern is the most familiar with, having squared off 11 times previously. EMU owns a 6-5 all-time tally, and recently bested UVA, 3-1, Feb. 7, 2014.
Sunday's game between Eastern and Georgia Southern will be just the second time the two teams have met. In the last Eagles vs. Eagles showdown, EMU came out on top, 8-7, Feb. 28, 2010.
REPLACING THE HEAVY HITTERS: With the loss of Michelle Kriegshauser and Taylor Wagner, the Eagles will need to rely on a mix of veterans and newcomers to make up for the power hitters lost. Eastern returns Amanda Akles who swings a big bat as she ranked second on the team last season in home runs (7) and RBIs (20). Overall, EMU returns 69 percent of its run production from 2017.
The Eagles also add freshmen Casey Skeens and Lauren Holdsworth to the mix, both concluding their high school senior seasons with a batting average above .500. Skeens had a blistering .563 at the plate, while Holdsworth was hitting at a whopping .547.
PITCHING POWER RETURNS: Under first-year pitching coach Sara Driesenga, the Eagles benefit from the return of a veteran duo in the circle. As a junior, Trisha Trujillo led the staff in earned run average (3.99), wins (8), and appearances (36). Meanwhile, Nicolle Miranda was a workhorse in the circle, leading EMU in complete games (6), shutouts (2), innings pitched (130.2), strikeouts (62), and opponent batting average (.290).
MAKING MOVES: For the fourth consecutive season under Melissa Gentile, the Eagles will transition a player to a new post on the field. Gentile has had a trend of moving infielders to the outfield, but in 2018, she is moving in reverse as Alex Peters will make the move from outfield to pitcher. In 2017, Haley Hostetler moved from shortstop to center, while Abby Davidson went from third base to outfield in 2016. Jenn Lucas also made the transition when she moved from second base to center in 2015.
MAKING THEIR ROUNDS: In addition to a grueling Mid-American Conference schedule, Eastern Michigan will square off with teams from 15 different leagues this season, including two Power-5 conferences. The Eagles will take on three teams from the Atlantic 10, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference, and Ohio Valley, while playing a pair of teams from the Big Ten and Southland Conference. Additionally, EMU will battle teams hailing from the Western Athletic Conference, Sun Belt Conference, Conference USA, America East Conference, Southwestern Athletic Conference, Northeastern Conference, Missouri Valley Conference, and Summit League throughout the year.
UP AGAINST UMKC: The Roos travel to Madeira Beach after posting a 2-3 record at the UNI-Dome Classic in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Feb. 9-11.
The Roos' offense was stout as IMKC hit .288 at the plate as a team, posting 38 hits in 132 at bats.
Inside the circle, UMKC came away with a team earned run average of 5.03 over opening weekend, with four pitchers making appearances. The Roo's surrendered 29 runs, 23 of which were earned, while striking out 10.
THE GEORGE MASON INSIDER: George Mason is set to open the season against the Eagles Friday, Feb. 16, at 1:30 p.m. The Patriots are coming off a season in which they pieced together a 23-33 record.
At the plate, GMU returns three of its top-five hitters from 2017, including Alyssa Lawton, who hit a team-best .313 last season.
George Mason also returns its entire pitching staff from last year, including ace Marina Vitalich. In 34 appearances, Vitalich went 14-13 and led the team with a 1.87 ERA.
FACING THE FIGHTING HAWKS: Opening its season at the EMU Madeira Beach Invitational, Monmouth looks to build off of a 25-31 record from a year ago.
The Hawks return four of their other top-five hitters. Last season, the foursome combined for 160 hits and 100 runs, 41.8 and 45.5 percent of the team's total, respectively.
Monmouth also return its top pitcher last year, Amanda Riley. Riley went 17-18 on the season, and recorded 241 strikeouts, while leading the team with a 2.59 ERA.
VYING THE VIRGINIA CAVALIERS: The Cavaliers enter the weekend with a 2-3 record after their opening weekend at the Cowgirl Classic, Feb. 8-10. There, Virginia dropped games to McNeese State and Tulsa, while picking up wins against Houston Baptist and Southern.
Despite the record, Virginia out-hit its opponents, 35-26, while outscoring them, 25-23, and posted a .273 batting average at the three-day tournament.
Owning a 4.29 team earned run average, Virginia pitchers have given up 23 runs, 19 of which were earned. The Cavaliers have struck out 14 and walked 41 in 31.0 innings of work.
THE EAGLES VS. THE EAGLES: The Georgia Southern Eagles enter the weekend owning a 3-1 record after a successful weekend at the Eagle Round Robin, Feb. 9-11. GSU locked up wins against Austin Peay and Murray State, before dropping a 7-5 decision against ETSU.
Offense was aplenty in the Eagles' first four games, as Georgia Southern outscored its opponents, 34-27, while hitting a blistering .309 batting average. Belting out 34 hits in 110 at bats, GSU tacked on 13 extra base hits, including four homeruns.
Overall, the pitching staff was solid, striking out 15 and compiling a 2.50 earned run average.
NOT AN EASY ROAD AHEAD: In taking a quick glance at the latest national polls, it is easy to see that the task that lies ahead for the Eagles is anything but easy. In fact, Eastern's annual meeting against Michigan will pit EMU against the current No. 19 ranked team, Wednesday, April 4. Additionally, Notre Dame is receiving votes in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches poll.
ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: In her two years donning the Green and White, junior Amanda Akles has proven herself to be a heavy hitter at the plate. Akles currently sits just outside the top-10 in career home runs with 14. After pounding seven home runs her freshman year, the La Habra, Calif. native matched that number in 2017. She is just two home runs away from tying Linsday Schmid and McKenna Russ at 16. At her current pace, she is set to finish her career third place all-time at 28 home runs, just one behind former teammate Michelle Kriesgshauser.
2018 LEADERSHIP COUNCIL: Leading the Eagles this season will be senior Angel Schilke, junior Alex Peters, sophomore Ariana Chretien, and freshman Casey Skeens.
The leadership council takes a different approach to traditional team captains, choosing one student-athlete from each class. Gentile and her staff leave the decision up to the players, as each class votes for who should represent them.
LEFT HAND MAGIC: With the addition of freshman Kiara Hurley to the pitching staff, Eastern Michigan sees its first left handed pitcher since Lauren Wells donned the Green and White from 2011-14. Wells etched herself on the record book during her years donning the Green and White, ranking second in EMU laurels in strikeouts (349), strikeouts looking (119), and strikeouts per seven innings pitched (6.37).
Meanwhile, Hurley was a standout pitcher at Maumee High School where she was named MVP her senior season after recording 200 strikeouts,over 160.1 innings, and had an earned run average of 2.36.
TOP RANKED FRESHMEN CLASS IN THE MAC: The Eastern Michigan freshmen class makes up the top-ranked class in the Mid-American Conference according to FloSoftball. A week after Head Coach Melissa Gentile inked Lauren Holdsworth, Sophia Holland, Kiara Hurley, and Casey Skeens, the group received recognition in FloSoftball's College Recruiting Class rankings, Nov. 21, 2017. The foursome ranked 62nd nationwide, just ahead of conference-foe Toledo. The Rockets were the only other MAC school listed in the rankings as they were slotted 70th in the nation. The announcement marked the only ranked class during Gentile's tenure at EMU.
2019 WILL BE MASSIVE: When the Eagles inked Gabby Campbell (Brunswick, Ohio-Brunswick), Kenna Garst (Petersburg, Mich.-St. Mary's Catholic Central), Dani Hall (Galloway, Ohio-Bishop Ready), Cheyenne Hindman (Harrisville, Pa.-Slipper Rock), Mia Hoveland (McFarland, Wisc.-McFarland), Chayse Skinner (Spring Hill, Fla.-Nature Coast Technical), and Julia Vollmer (South Lyon, Mich.-South Lyon East) on Nov. 28, 2017, it marked the largest recruiting class in the Gentile era, as well as the largest class since 2012 when the Eagles signed seven.
GROWING THE COACHING STAFF: Eastern Michigan revamped its coaching staff with the additions of Magali Frezzotti and Sara Driesenga. Frezzotti is an assistant coach, working primarily with the slappers and catchers, while Driesenga takes over pitching coach duties.
A 2012 graduate from Instituto Numero 1 Dr. Enrique Romero Brest, Frezzotti works primarily with the catchers and slappers. As a player, she has been a standout catcher for the Argentina National Team since 2005 and has participated in several championships before playing for the Akron Racers in the National Pro Fastpitch League during the 2016 season.
Driesenga, who also playing in the National Pro Fastpitch League as a member of the Scrap Yard Dawgs, was a standout pitcher for the University of Michigan. Donning the Maze and Blue, Driesenga was a five-year player and made two appearances in the Women's College World Series, where she pitched a complete-games shutout during her sophomore season.
ON DECK: Eastern remains in Florida for the second of three weekends of the EMU Madeira Beach Invitational Friday-Saturday, Feb. 23-25. The Eagles will first face off Rhode Island Friday, Feb. 23, at 11 a.m., before duking it out with the Manhattan Jaspers at 1:30 p.m. After a Saturday morning bout against Middle Tennessee, the Eagles will go head-to-head against Albany and Marist on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.
Players Mentioned
3B
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SS
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1B/3B
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
OF/SS
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P/OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballThank You, Team 38
Monday, May 07
Overcoming Adversity: A Lauren Holdsworth Feature
Saturday, February 24
Closing Out a Legacy: Michelle Kriegshauser
Thursday, May 18
EMU Softball Signs Alyssa Feiler
Saturday, March 25