Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, February 15
Clarksville, Tenn.
12 p.m. CT
Eastern Michigan University
at
Austin Peay
Baseball Begins 2020 Season With Trip to Tennessee
2/12/2020 2:35:00 PM | Baseball
EMU will battle Austin Peay in a three-game set
| Feb. 14-16 in Clarksville, Tenn. | |
| Date | Friday-Sunday, Feb. 14-16 |
| Venue | Clarksville, Tenn. | Raymond C. Hand Baseball Park |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes |
| Live Stats | Live Stats |
| Watch | N/A |
| Listen | Govs Sports Network (Friday and Sunday only) |
| @EMU_Baseball | @EMUAthletics | |
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University baseball team is set to escape the frigid Michigan temperatures as it heads south to Austin Peay State University to begin its 2020 season Friday, Feb. 14. The Green and White will play a three-game set against the Governors, beginning with a 3 p.m. CT start on Friday, before finishing the weekend with a pair of 1 p.m. CT starts on Saturday, and Sunday, respectively.
Fans can hear the action on Friday and Sunday courtesy of the Governors' Sports Network, at LetsGoPeay.com/listen. Live stats will also be available through the following link: https://bit.ly/2UNH1N8. The team's Twitter, @EMU_Baseball will also have inning-by-inning updates throughout the weekend.
EMU IN SEASON OPENERS: Eastern Michigan is entering its 72nd season as a varsity program, with its start dating back to 1949. In its 71 previous seasons, Eastern is 34-37 in season openers. The Eagles are looking for their first season-opening win since 2017, when they defeated Missouri, 6-2, in a neutral site game in Fort Myers, Fla.
RACKING UP THE FLYER MILES: As with most northern-based teams, EMU is tasked with playing its early-season games in warmer climates before it can play at home. The Eagles will play its first 17 games away from Ypsilanti this season. At its longest, the Eagles will play nearly 1,083 miles from the comfort of home, as it travels to Fort Myers, Fla. for a single game against Florida Gulf Coast.
NEW YEAR, NEW FACES: With every year, a crop of new talent arrives in Ypsilanti. This season, the Eagles will welcome a total of 10 new players to campus, adding a slew of talent to an already promising roster. In all, the Eagles have added five right-handed pitchers, two infielders, one catcher, one outfielder, and one left-handed pitcher. A total of 34 players will don the "Script E" in 2020.
THE SEASON AHEAD: The Eagles will play a 53-game slate in 2020, including 16 contests at Oestrike Stadium. While not in the Mitten, the Eagles will do their fair share of sight-seeing, as they will travel to six different states for games: Tennessee, Florida, Ohio, Kansas, Illinois, and Indiana.
A LOOK BACK AT 2019: Last year's season saw the Eagles win just 11 games, including six in conference play, en route to a 11-43-1 overall record. The squad finished ninth-overall in the league, and failed to participate in the MAC Tournament for the first time since the 2015 season. EMU's six conference wins came in the form of sweeps, as it bested both Toledo and Bowling Green in perfect 3-0 fashion.
RETURNING PRODUCTION: The Eagles return a slew of key production from a season ago to this year's squad.
Offensively, redshirt junior Jeff Timko will look to build on an impressive redshirt sophomore season that saw him lead all Eagles in home runs (five), and tie for the team lead in triples (five).
Junior Scott Granzotto, sophomore Justin Meis, and redshirt junior Davis Feldman highlight the key returners on the bump. Granzotto tied for the team lead, with Meis, in wins (three), led the team in ERA (3.88), and was the only Eagle to toss a complete game in 2019. Meis was the only freshman to earn a win for the Green and White, and led the team in innings pitched (58.0). While Feldman was out due to injury last season, the Warren, Mich. native is considered the ace of the staff. In his last fully-healthy season, 2017, he made 19 appearances on the mound, including three starts. The fifth-year product totaled a 4.79 ERA in 47 innings, racking up 28 strikeouts, and notched a pair of wins as well as a pair of saves.
EAGLES ADD 35th PLAYER TO ROSTER: Together with Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit that connects children facing serious or chronic illnesses with local college athletic teams, the EMU baseball program welcomed Bentley "Bennie" Booth, a nine-year old from Belleville, Mich., as its newest team member, Friday, Jan. 31.
With his mom, Marguerita, and brother, Bradley standing by, Booth entered the Convocation Center media room to participate in a full-scale press conference and official signing. Nearly 50 guests, made up of EMU student-athletes, staff members, and local media, were in attendance to watch as the wide-smiling boy suffering from short bowel syndrome penned his name on his official "letter of intent."
Bennie will be with the team at various games and events throughout the 2020 season. He is best known for a breathtaking smile and infectious love for life.
BIG LEAGUE SUCCESS: Head Coach Eric Roof has proven his ability to develop pro-level talent in his two seasons patrolling the dugout. Each season, the Eagles have had a player drafted in the annual MLB Draft. 2018 saw shortstop Max Schuemann go to the Oakland Athletics, before Zachary Owings was selected by the Miami Marlins in 2019.
This year, Roof has already shown the ability to lure top talent to Ypsilanti. Despite being drafted in the 22nd round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers, freshman Cameron Wagoner still chose to enroll at EMU. This top-prospect will now don the "Script E," for the foreseeable future.
MAC PRESEASON POLL: Eastern was selected to finish eighth-overall in the Mid-American Conference preseason poll, as announced by the league office, Feb. 12. EMU finished just behind Ohio (67 points), and Western Michigan (57 points), after receiving 38 points in the poll. The Eagles finished the 2019 season ninth-overall with a 11-43-1 mark, including a 6-21 record in league play. Toledo (33 points), Bowling Green (30 points), and Akron (20 points) rounded out the poll in the No. 8 through No. 10 spots, respectively.
MAC Baseball Preseason Poll
1. Central Michigan (3) – 109 points
2. Kent State (2) – 106 points
3. Ball State (3) -- 105 points
4. Miami (2) – 93 points
5. Northern Illinois (1) – 68 points
6. Ohio – 67 points
7. Western Michigan – 57 points
8. Eastern Michigan – 38 points
9. Toledo – 33 points
10. Bowling Green – 30 points
11. Akron – 20 points
Tournament Champion: Kent State (6), Miami (2), Ball State (1), Central Michigan (1), Northern Illinois (1)
THE LEAGUES THE EAGLES WILL FACE: The Eagles will face Division I competition from a total of 12 different conferences this season. In addition to games against its Mid-American Conference-counterparts, EMU will see teams from the: Ohio Valley Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference, Big East Conference, Atlantic Sun Conference, Colonial Athletic Association, American Athletic Conference, Big 12 Conference, Horizon League, Missouri Valley Conference, Atlantic 10 Conference, and the Big Ten Conference.
ALL-TIME AGAINST AUSTIN PEAY: EMU and Austin Peay have met 10 times in their respective histories, with each team claiming five victories. A back-and-forth series, the team's have split the last four decisions in the series, dating back to the 2011 season.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE GOVERNORS: The two squads met for a doubleheader during the 2014 campaign, with each side taking one win.
Game One: APSU 8, EMU 3: After EMU took an early 1-0, Austin Peay rattled off eight unanswered runs to cruise to the 8-3 victory. Each team tallied eight hits, but the Eagles committed four errors that led to four unearned runs for the Governors. APSU committed two errors, but none led to runs for Eastern. The Green and White struggled to get runners across the plate, leaving 12 on base during the first contest.
Game Two: EMU 9, APSU 8: In game two, the Eagles held off a late rally from the Governors to earn the one-run victory. Eastern broke a 4-4 tie with five runs in the seventh and eighth, but Austin Peay did not give up as it scored four in the bottom half of the eighth. Just like the first contest, both team recorded the same amount of hits (nine); however, Austin Peay committed four errors while EMU was perfect in the field. The one unearned run allowed by APSU proved to be the difference in the ballgame.
ON THE HORIZON: Following its three-game series with Austin Peay, EMU will head to the Sunshine State for an eight-game swing in Florida, beginning with a three-game set against the University of Pittsburgh, Feb. 21-23.
Fans can hear the action on Friday and Sunday courtesy of the Governors' Sports Network, at LetsGoPeay.com/listen. Live stats will also be available through the following link: https://bit.ly/2UNH1N8. The team's Twitter, @EMU_Baseball will also have inning-by-inning updates throughout the weekend.
EMU IN SEASON OPENERS: Eastern Michigan is entering its 72nd season as a varsity program, with its start dating back to 1949. In its 71 previous seasons, Eastern is 34-37 in season openers. The Eagles are looking for their first season-opening win since 2017, when they defeated Missouri, 6-2, in a neutral site game in Fort Myers, Fla.
RACKING UP THE FLYER MILES: As with most northern-based teams, EMU is tasked with playing its early-season games in warmer climates before it can play at home. The Eagles will play its first 17 games away from Ypsilanti this season. At its longest, the Eagles will play nearly 1,083 miles from the comfort of home, as it travels to Fort Myers, Fla. for a single game against Florida Gulf Coast.
NEW YEAR, NEW FACES: With every year, a crop of new talent arrives in Ypsilanti. This season, the Eagles will welcome a total of 10 new players to campus, adding a slew of talent to an already promising roster. In all, the Eagles have added five right-handed pitchers, two infielders, one catcher, one outfielder, and one left-handed pitcher. A total of 34 players will don the "Script E" in 2020.
THE SEASON AHEAD: The Eagles will play a 53-game slate in 2020, including 16 contests at Oestrike Stadium. While not in the Mitten, the Eagles will do their fair share of sight-seeing, as they will travel to six different states for games: Tennessee, Florida, Ohio, Kansas, Illinois, and Indiana.
A LOOK BACK AT 2019: Last year's season saw the Eagles win just 11 games, including six in conference play, en route to a 11-43-1 overall record. The squad finished ninth-overall in the league, and failed to participate in the MAC Tournament for the first time since the 2015 season. EMU's six conference wins came in the form of sweeps, as it bested both Toledo and Bowling Green in perfect 3-0 fashion.
RETURNING PRODUCTION: The Eagles return a slew of key production from a season ago to this year's squad.
Offensively, redshirt junior Jeff Timko will look to build on an impressive redshirt sophomore season that saw him lead all Eagles in home runs (five), and tie for the team lead in triples (five).
Junior Scott Granzotto, sophomore Justin Meis, and redshirt junior Davis Feldman highlight the key returners on the bump. Granzotto tied for the team lead, with Meis, in wins (three), led the team in ERA (3.88), and was the only Eagle to toss a complete game in 2019. Meis was the only freshman to earn a win for the Green and White, and led the team in innings pitched (58.0). While Feldman was out due to injury last season, the Warren, Mich. native is considered the ace of the staff. In his last fully-healthy season, 2017, he made 19 appearances on the mound, including three starts. The fifth-year product totaled a 4.79 ERA in 47 innings, racking up 28 strikeouts, and notched a pair of wins as well as a pair of saves.
EAGLES ADD 35th PLAYER TO ROSTER: Together with Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit that connects children facing serious or chronic illnesses with local college athletic teams, the EMU baseball program welcomed Bentley "Bennie" Booth, a nine-year old from Belleville, Mich., as its newest team member, Friday, Jan. 31.
With his mom, Marguerita, and brother, Bradley standing by, Booth entered the Convocation Center media room to participate in a full-scale press conference and official signing. Nearly 50 guests, made up of EMU student-athletes, staff members, and local media, were in attendance to watch as the wide-smiling boy suffering from short bowel syndrome penned his name on his official "letter of intent."
Bennie will be with the team at various games and events throughout the 2020 season. He is best known for a breathtaking smile and infectious love for life.
BIG LEAGUE SUCCESS: Head Coach Eric Roof has proven his ability to develop pro-level talent in his two seasons patrolling the dugout. Each season, the Eagles have had a player drafted in the annual MLB Draft. 2018 saw shortstop Max Schuemann go to the Oakland Athletics, before Zachary Owings was selected by the Miami Marlins in 2019.
This year, Roof has already shown the ability to lure top talent to Ypsilanti. Despite being drafted in the 22nd round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers, freshman Cameron Wagoner still chose to enroll at EMU. This top-prospect will now don the "Script E," for the foreseeable future.
MAC PRESEASON POLL: Eastern was selected to finish eighth-overall in the Mid-American Conference preseason poll, as announced by the league office, Feb. 12. EMU finished just behind Ohio (67 points), and Western Michigan (57 points), after receiving 38 points in the poll. The Eagles finished the 2019 season ninth-overall with a 11-43-1 mark, including a 6-21 record in league play. Toledo (33 points), Bowling Green (30 points), and Akron (20 points) rounded out the poll in the No. 8 through No. 10 spots, respectively.
MAC Baseball Preseason Poll
1. Central Michigan (3) – 109 points
2. Kent State (2) – 106 points
3. Ball State (3) -- 105 points
4. Miami (2) – 93 points
5. Northern Illinois (1) – 68 points
6. Ohio – 67 points
7. Western Michigan – 57 points
8. Eastern Michigan – 38 points
9. Toledo – 33 points
10. Bowling Green – 30 points
11. Akron – 20 points
Tournament Champion: Kent State (6), Miami (2), Ball State (1), Central Michigan (1), Northern Illinois (1)
THE LEAGUES THE EAGLES WILL FACE: The Eagles will face Division I competition from a total of 12 different conferences this season. In addition to games against its Mid-American Conference-counterparts, EMU will see teams from the: Ohio Valley Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference, Big East Conference, Atlantic Sun Conference, Colonial Athletic Association, American Athletic Conference, Big 12 Conference, Horizon League, Missouri Valley Conference, Atlantic 10 Conference, and the Big Ten Conference.
ALL-TIME AGAINST AUSTIN PEAY: EMU and Austin Peay have met 10 times in their respective histories, with each team claiming five victories. A back-and-forth series, the team's have split the last four decisions in the series, dating back to the 2011 season.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE GOVERNORS: The two squads met for a doubleheader during the 2014 campaign, with each side taking one win.
Game One: APSU 8, EMU 3: After EMU took an early 1-0, Austin Peay rattled off eight unanswered runs to cruise to the 8-3 victory. Each team tallied eight hits, but the Eagles committed four errors that led to four unearned runs for the Governors. APSU committed two errors, but none led to runs for Eastern. The Green and White struggled to get runners across the plate, leaving 12 on base during the first contest.
Game Two: EMU 9, APSU 8: In game two, the Eagles held off a late rally from the Governors to earn the one-run victory. Eastern broke a 4-4 tie with five runs in the seventh and eighth, but Austin Peay did not give up as it scored four in the bottom half of the eighth. Just like the first contest, both team recorded the same amount of hits (nine); however, Austin Peay committed four errors while EMU was perfect in the field. The one unearned run allowed by APSU proved to be the difference in the ballgame.
ON THE HORIZON: Following its three-game series with Austin Peay, EMU will head to the Sunshine State for an eight-game swing in Florida, beginning with a three-game set against the University of Pittsburgh, Feb. 21-23.
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