Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Rhode Island
Softball Preps For Second Weekend of EMU Madeira Beach Invitational
2/22/2018 1:57:00 PM | Softball
The Eagles will play five teams throughout a three-day span
| Softball at EMU Madeira Beach Invitational | |
| Date | Friday-Sunday, Feb. 23-25 |
| 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 remains in Madeira Beach, Fla., Feb. 23-25, for the second weekend of the EMU Madeira Beach Invitational. This weekend's slate includes games against Manhattan College, Marist College, Middle Tennessee State University, the University at Albany, and the University of Rhode Island.
I'LL TAKE TWO, PLEASE: Haley Hostetler's bat was heavy against Monmouth as she pounded out two doubles to left field throughout nine innings against the Hawks, Feb. 17. Hostetler is the first Eagle to hit a pair of doubles in a game since Michelle Kriegshauser did so against Toledo, April, 24, 2014. She is also the first to hit multiple doubles since Taylor Wagner produced three against the Rockets, April 12, 2017.
WE NEED MORE TIME: In the opening weekend of the 2018 season, the Eagles were handed back-to-back nine-innings losses against George Mason and Monmouth, Feb. 16-17. After tying both squads in the sixth frame, Eastern fell to the Patriots, 2-1, before dropping a 6-5 decision versus the Hawks. Under Head Coach Melissa Gentile, the Green and White have compiled an 8-10 record when playing in extra innings.
The last time Eastern has played two consecutive extra inning games was in the 2014 season against Towson and North Carolina Central, Feb. 8. Eastern split the contests, dropping to the Tigers, 8-7, before overpowering the Eagles, 2-1.
300 IPs: Tossing a career-high 8.1 innings against George Mason, Feb. 16, Nicolle Miranda became the 14th Eagle in program history to surpass 300 innings pitched. Miranda is the first pitcher donning the Green and White to hit the milestone since Lindsay Rich did so in 2014 against Central Michigan, April 5. Fellow pitcher, Trisha Trujillo, is also expected to join the club as she currently sit at 283.2 innings pitched after throwing 12.1 over the first five games.
TALE OF THE TAPE: Eastern holds a 3-3 all-time record against this weekend's opponents, including a 1-1 mark under the direction of Head Coach Melissa Gentile.
Friday's showdown with Rhode Island will mark the first meeting between the two squads, while the Manhattan matchup is just the second meeting in program history. The Eagles defeated the Jaspers, 8-6, at the 2016 EMU Madeira Beach Invitational, Feb. 19.
The Eagles hold a 1-1 all-time tally against Middle Tennessee. Eastern, having not seen Middle Tennessee in nearly six years, fell to the Blue Raiders, 6-5, March 10, 2012.
The Green and White own a 1-1 record when playing against the Great Danes of Albany. The last time the two teams have faced off, Eastern was handed a 5-4 loss through 10 innings. Meanwhile, the Eagles are in the hunt for their first win over Marist, having lost to them, 6-4, Feb. 20, 2016.
THE RHODE ISLAND REPORT: Rhode Island enters the weekend on the heels of a 1-3 performance at the Elon Tournament.
As a team, the Rams hit just .193 at the plate and have been outscored by opponents by 24-11. Erika Yeager leads the team with a .500 batting average and has a team-high five hits and as many RBIs.
In the circle, Rhode Island has seen its share of struggles. Opponents are hitting a hefty .281 at the plate, while the Rams hold a team 8.25 earned run average. All four of URI's pitchers have seen quality time on the rubber, with Sarah Gunderson picking up the most work. Through 10.0 innings of work, Gunderson has a 6.30 ERA, while striking out eight.
MANNING UP MANHATTAN: Manhattan starts the 2018 season this weekend at the EMU Madeira Beach Invitational, following a 34-21 campaign.
Lauren Pitney and Shannon Puthe are the Jaspers top hitters and they notched a .324 and .295 batting average, respectively. Pitney led the team with 37 RBIs while Puthe blasted a team-high 54 hits.
On the rubber, Manhattan returns all three pitchers, who combined for a team 2.89 ERA. Nicole Williams led the pitching staff with a 2.04 ERA while striking out 122.
BATTLING THE BLUE RAIDERS: Middle Tennessee makes the trek down to Florida owning a 7-4 record on the season. The Blue Raiders opened their season at the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament where they went 2-4 before going undefeated at the Black & Gold Tournament.
Lexi Cushing and Summer Burgess are MTU's top players at the plate as the team hits a healthy .310. Crushing hits at a blistering .478 with 11 hits on 23 at bats and recording five RBIs, while Burgess has a team-high 18 hits to go along with three doubles.
In the circle, Amber Baldwin is the Blue Raiders top pitcher. In 22.0 innings of work, Baldwin has compiled a 1.27 ERA with two complete games. Middle Tennessee has struck out 46, while allowing the opposition to hit .255 at the plate.
GAGING THE GREAT DANES: Friday marks the first taste of action for Albany, who finished the 2017 campaign with a 27-18 record.
At the plate, the Great Danes return four of its top five hitters from a season ago. Albany hits at a .294 as a team in 2017, and with much of its power returning, it could be on pace for similar sights in 2018.
Albany returns two of its pitchers from the last campaign, while adding one freshman to the mix. As a group, the pitchers compiled an earned run average of 3.77, while allowing their opponents were hitting at a .273.
MEASURING UP TO MARIST: Marist begins its season this weekend at the EMU Madeira Beach Invitational. The Red Foxes turned in a record of 37-22 last year.
While losing one of its top hitters, Marist returns six of its seven who hit above a .300 in 2017, including Kourtney Paul who hit a team-high .366.
With a deep bullpen, the Red Foxes return four of its five pitchers, while adding one freshman. As a team, Marist had a 2.47 earned run average while allowing opponents to hit at a .236 batting average.
ON DECK: Eastern will return to Florida for the final weekend of the EMU Madeira Beach Invitational, Friday-Sunday, March 2-4. The Eagles will first go head-to-head against Central Arkansas and Alabama State on Friday at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., respectively. After duking it out against Northern Kentucky at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Green and White will remain on the field to face off the Blackbirds of Long Island University at 4 p.m. Eastern will the conclude the weekend with a Sunday tilt against Incarnate Word at 11:30 a.m.
