Baseball Suffers Saturday Heartbreaker

DEKALB, Ill. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan baseball team suffered a heartbreaking loss Saturday, March 23, when it dropped game two of a three-game series with Northern Illinois University, 4-3, at Ralph McKinzie Field.

Despite having a runner in scoring position in each of its last two frames, Eastern (3-18-1) was unable to score, falling to NIU for the second-consecutive day in Mid-American Conference action.

Getting the start for Eastern, redshirt junior Nick Porretto (Geneva, Ill.-Geneva (McHenry C.C.)) put together a strong outing for the Green and White. The resilient right-hander set the tone early, shutting down NIU through the first two innings, allowing just two hits while striking out three Husky batters. After a two-run third inning, Porretto finished his outing strong, giving up one run in his final inning of work. In all, Porretto tossed four innings for EMU, striking out three in his 88-pitch performance.

Coming on for the fifth inning, senior Mitchell Sparks (Willis, Texas.-Carmel (Ind.)(Iowa Lakes C.C.)) defined veteran poise. After allowing three-consecutive hits to begin the fifth inning, loading the bases for NIU, Sparks settled in, striking out the next two Husky batters. Although Northern Illinois was able to score one run, Sparks limited the damage, ending a serious threat and keeping EMU within one run, 4-3. In his next frame, Sparks was dominant, keeping NIU off the board. In total, Sparks pitched two innings, allowing only one run.

Senior Jackson Shaver (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Forest Hills Northern (Grand Rapids C.C.)) also saw action on the hill for EMU, tossing the seventh and eighth innings, giving up just one hit and zero runs in his effort.

Offensively, Zachary Owings (Saline, Mich.-Saline) starred, knocking two hits and driving-in two crucial RBIs for the Eagles.

After loading the bases in the fifth, Owings popped a two-RBI single, tying the game, 3-3. Down 4-3 in the eighth, Owings again put Eastern in position to tie the game, when he knocked his fourth triple of the year. Coming into the game, Owings ranked 16th nationally in triples.

In total, four players added hits for the Eagles.

Although it battled through the end, getting a runner to second with one out in the ninth, Eastern was unable to break the Northern Illinois defense in a 4-3 Saturday setback.

Eastern returns to action Sunday, March 24, for its series finale at Northern Illinois. First pitch is set for mid-day, 12 p.m. CT.

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Team Stats

Zachary Owings

Nick Jones

Shane Easter

Devin Hager

Players Mentioned

Zachary Owings

Nick Porretto

Jackson Shaver

Mitchell Sparks

Players Mentioned

Zachary Owings

Nick Porretto

Jackson Shaver

Mitchell Sparks

Eastern Michigan Athletics