Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, February 15
Clarksville, Tenn.
12 p.m. CT
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Baseball Splits Season-Opening Doubleheader at Austin Peay
2/15/2020 8:34:00 PM | Baseball
Sophomore Taylor Hopkins recorded five hits between the two games, including two home runs
Game One Photos.
Game Two Photos.
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (EMUEagles.com) – After cold weather extended the offseason one extra day, the Eastern Michigan University baseball team finally took to the diamond for its 2020 season-opener, a two-game doubleheader, against Austin Peay State University today, Feb. 15. The Eagles defeated the Governor's in the first game, 16-8, before falling by one, 7-6, in the nightcap at Raymond C. Hand Baseball Park.
Eastern (1-1) combined to score 22 runs on 24 hits between the two games, and had six different Eagles register hits in both contests. The Eagles will have a chance to earn the series victory over Austin Peay (1-1) in tomorrow's finale.
Game One: EMU 16, APSU 8
The old baseball myth that claims a lack of offense in the early-season proved to be just that, a myth, as Eastern and Austin Peay combined to score 24 runs in the season-opener for both teams. EMU was dominant at the plate, where it amassed 16 runs, the most by an Eagle team since it crossed the plate the same number of times against Ball State, May 7, 2016.
Offensively, it was the duo of sophomore Taylor Hopkins (Mason, Ohio-Archbishop Moeller) and junior captain Shane Easter (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Comstock) that led the way. Hopkins finished the game with single-game career highs in hits (3), RBI's (6), and runs scored (4). The second-year standout also had a career-high two home runs in the game. Easter was also able to take the ball deep as he blasted his first-career home run, which doubled as a grand slam. His four-RBI performance is the best of his career (previous high of two).
Junior hurler Luke McGuire (Shelby Twp., Mich.-Stevenson) came on in relief and pitched the final six innings of the contest, facing 26 batters and allowing just five hits along the way. He also added four strikeouts. The six-frame outing is the second-longest of his career, and earned him his sixth-career win.
EMU wasted no time getting to work at the dish, putting up two runs in its first at-bat of the season to take a 2-0 lead. Redshirt senior Jeff Timko (Rochester Hills, Mich.-Brother Rice) got the team rolling as he singled up the middle to begin the game. After a fielder's choice and passed ball put Hopkins and Timko on first and third, respectively, the duo executed a double-steal to perfection. Both runners were safe and EMU crossed the plate for the first of two times in the frame. It was senior captain Nick Jones (Battle Creek, Mich.-Lakeview) who provided the team's second run when he doubled to left field. Jones finished the game with three hits, which tied for the team lead.
Facing its first deficit of the season, 4-2, after the fourth inning, the Eagles responded. With one out and one aboard, Hopkins connected for the first of his two home runs, which tied the game, 4-4. After a Governor two-spot put the Eagles behind once more, 5-4, in the fifth, it was junior Jared Kauffman (Springboro, Ohio-Bishop Fenwick) who was able to tie the game with a double to right-center field. Hopkins went deep for the second time just two batters later, which gave EMU an 8-5 advantage, one it held for the rest of the game.
Up one, 8-7, in the top of the seventh, Easter added the firework that proved to be the final blow to APSU. With the bases loaded and no outs, the Kalamazoo, Mich. native launched his first-ever long ball, a grand slam that gave EMU a 12-6 advantage in the contest. Although the Govs' added one more run, it was far from enough to mount a comeback.
When it was all said-and-done, the Eagles had racked up 16 hits, including seven for extra bases, en route to a dominant 16-8, season-opening victory.
Game Two: APSU 7, EMU 6
The night portion of the double-feature saw a much more competitive game than its matinee counterpart, and Austin Peay completed a late-inning comeback to defeat EMU by one run, 7-6.
Hopkins picked up where he left off in game one at the plate, adding an additional two hits to his already impressive outing. The Mason, Ohio native finished the day with a team-best five knocks. Junior college transfer Christian Bault (Maineville, Ohio-Bishop Fenwick (Lincoln Trail)) also had a pair of hits, building on his one-knock performance in game one.
Sophomore Justin Meis (Pittsburgh, Pa.-Bethel Park), last year's team innings leader, made his first start of the season for the Green and White. The Steele City slinger tossed six innings and racked-up 10 strikeouts in his 2020 debut, a no decision.
Game two featured a much slower pace through its first four innings, as just four runs were scored between the two teams. EMU was kept off the board until the third, when it tacked three runs on the Governors. Kauffman started the momentum with an infield single, before Timko found a gap through the left side. Although he did not record a hit, Hopkins helped EMU to score in its next at-bat as he put the ball in play, which led to an APSU throwing error. EMU took advantage as Kauffman and Timko were both able to score to give EMU a 2-1 advantage. With runners now on first and second, it was Bault who came up clutch, knocking a single and extending EMU's lead, 3-1.
Although Eastern seemed to have control of the game, Austin Peay was able to string together a pair of productive offensive innings in the seventh and eighth, respectively. Up, 6-3, at stretch time, EMU gave up a pair of runs in the bottom half of the next two frames, falling behind, 7-6, with one at-bat remaining. Freshman pitcher Cameron Wagoner (Tecumseh, Mich.-Tecumseh) got his first taste of collegiate baseball during the eighth inning, and although he was able to record two strikeouts, ultimately suffered the loss.
Although Bault knocked a two-out single to keep Eastern alive in the ninth, the Eagles ultimately went down with three looking strikeouts, failing to advance Bault and suffering their first setback of the season in the doubleheader's evening nightcap, 7-6.
Game Two Photos.
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (EMUEagles.com) – After cold weather extended the offseason one extra day, the Eastern Michigan University baseball team finally took to the diamond for its 2020 season-opener, a two-game doubleheader, against Austin Peay State University today, Feb. 15. The Eagles defeated the Governor's in the first game, 16-8, before falling by one, 7-6, in the nightcap at Raymond C. Hand Baseball Park.
Eastern (1-1) combined to score 22 runs on 24 hits between the two games, and had six different Eagles register hits in both contests. The Eagles will have a chance to earn the series victory over Austin Peay (1-1) in tomorrow's finale.
Game One: EMU 16, APSU 8
The old baseball myth that claims a lack of offense in the early-season proved to be just that, a myth, as Eastern and Austin Peay combined to score 24 runs in the season-opener for both teams. EMU was dominant at the plate, where it amassed 16 runs, the most by an Eagle team since it crossed the plate the same number of times against Ball State, May 7, 2016.
Offensively, it was the duo of sophomore Taylor Hopkins (Mason, Ohio-Archbishop Moeller) and junior captain Shane Easter (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Comstock) that led the way. Hopkins finished the game with single-game career highs in hits (3), RBI's (6), and runs scored (4). The second-year standout also had a career-high two home runs in the game. Easter was also able to take the ball deep as he blasted his first-career home run, which doubled as a grand slam. His four-RBI performance is the best of his career (previous high of two).
Junior hurler Luke McGuire (Shelby Twp., Mich.-Stevenson) came on in relief and pitched the final six innings of the contest, facing 26 batters and allowing just five hits along the way. He also added four strikeouts. The six-frame outing is the second-longest of his career, and earned him his sixth-career win.
EMU wasted no time getting to work at the dish, putting up two runs in its first at-bat of the season to take a 2-0 lead. Redshirt senior Jeff Timko (Rochester Hills, Mich.-Brother Rice) got the team rolling as he singled up the middle to begin the game. After a fielder's choice and passed ball put Hopkins and Timko on first and third, respectively, the duo executed a double-steal to perfection. Both runners were safe and EMU crossed the plate for the first of two times in the frame. It was senior captain Nick Jones (Battle Creek, Mich.-Lakeview) who provided the team's second run when he doubled to left field. Jones finished the game with three hits, which tied for the team lead.
Facing its first deficit of the season, 4-2, after the fourth inning, the Eagles responded. With one out and one aboard, Hopkins connected for the first of his two home runs, which tied the game, 4-4. After a Governor two-spot put the Eagles behind once more, 5-4, in the fifth, it was junior Jared Kauffman (Springboro, Ohio-Bishop Fenwick) who was able to tie the game with a double to right-center field. Hopkins went deep for the second time just two batters later, which gave EMU an 8-5 advantage, one it held for the rest of the game.
Up one, 8-7, in the top of the seventh, Easter added the firework that proved to be the final blow to APSU. With the bases loaded and no outs, the Kalamazoo, Mich. native launched his first-ever long ball, a grand slam that gave EMU a 12-6 advantage in the contest. Although the Govs' added one more run, it was far from enough to mount a comeback.
When it was all said-and-done, the Eagles had racked up 16 hits, including seven for extra bases, en route to a dominant 16-8, season-opening victory.
Game Two: APSU 7, EMU 6
The night portion of the double-feature saw a much more competitive game than its matinee counterpart, and Austin Peay completed a late-inning comeback to defeat EMU by one run, 7-6.
Hopkins picked up where he left off in game one at the plate, adding an additional two hits to his already impressive outing. The Mason, Ohio native finished the day with a team-best five knocks. Junior college transfer Christian Bault (Maineville, Ohio-Bishop Fenwick (Lincoln Trail)) also had a pair of hits, building on his one-knock performance in game one.
Sophomore Justin Meis (Pittsburgh, Pa.-Bethel Park), last year's team innings leader, made his first start of the season for the Green and White. The Steele City slinger tossed six innings and racked-up 10 strikeouts in his 2020 debut, a no decision.
Game two featured a much slower pace through its first four innings, as just four runs were scored between the two teams. EMU was kept off the board until the third, when it tacked three runs on the Governors. Kauffman started the momentum with an infield single, before Timko found a gap through the left side. Although he did not record a hit, Hopkins helped EMU to score in its next at-bat as he put the ball in play, which led to an APSU throwing error. EMU took advantage as Kauffman and Timko were both able to score to give EMU a 2-1 advantage. With runners now on first and second, it was Bault who came up clutch, knocking a single and extending EMU's lead, 3-1.
Although Eastern seemed to have control of the game, Austin Peay was able to string together a pair of productive offensive innings in the seventh and eighth, respectively. Up, 6-3, at stretch time, EMU gave up a pair of runs in the bottom half of the next two frames, falling behind, 7-6, with one at-bat remaining. Freshman pitcher Cameron Wagoner (Tecumseh, Mich.-Tecumseh) got his first taste of collegiate baseball during the eighth inning, and although he was able to record two strikeouts, ultimately suffered the loss.
Although Bault knocked a two-out single to keep Eastern alive in the ninth, the Eagles ultimately went down with three looking strikeouts, failing to advance Bault and suffering their first setback of the season in the doubleheader's evening nightcap, 7-6.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: McGuire, Luke (1-0)
L: KOUBA, R. (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Hopkins, Taylor 1 ; Jones, Nick 1 ; Kauffman, Jared 2
HR: Hopkins, Taylor 2 ; Easter, Shane 1
RBI: Timko, Jeff 1 ; Hopkins, Taylor 6 ; Jones, Nick 1 ; Peggs, Drake 1 ; Easter, Shane 4 ; Kauffman, Jared 1
SH: Easter, Shane 1
SF: Hopkins, Taylor 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Timko, Jeff 2 ; Hopkins, Taylor 4 ; Jones, Nick 2 ; Jones, Nate 2 ; Peggs, Drake 2 ; Easter, Shane 2 ; Kauffman, Jared 2
SB: Warkentin, Daniel 1
CS: Timko, Jeff 1
Batting:
2B: LUNA, S. 1 ; DeLANCEY, T. 1 ; HEAD, B. 2
HR: BROWN, R. 1 ; HUBBARD, T. 1
RBI: LUNA, S. 3 ; JOSLIN, M. 1 ; BROWN, R. 2 ; HUBBARD, T. 1 ; TIPLER, M. 1
SH: HAY, A. 1
SF: TIPLER, M. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: AVROS, G. 1 ; DeLANCEY, T. 1 ; BROWN, R. 2 ; HEAD, B. 1 ; HUBBARD, T. 1 ; HAY, A. 1 ; TIPLER, M. 1
SB: SPAIN, G. 1
HBP: DeLANCEY, T. 1 ; SPAIN, G. 1 ; HEAD, B. 1 ; HAY, A. 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
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5
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RBI
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3
RBI
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AB
5
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2
H
3
RBI
1
AB
4
R
2
H
3
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
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RHP
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RHP
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/ Baseball
RHP
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