Eastern Michigan Athletics
Tuesday, February 25
Fort Myers, Fla.
6:30 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
Florida Gulf Coast
Baseball Arrives in Fort Myers to Battle Florida Gulf Coast
2/24/2020 4:31:00 PM | Baseball
The pair of Eagles will play a single game Tuesday, Feb. 25
| Feb. 25 in Fort Myers, Fla. | |
| Date | Tuesday, Feb. 25 |
| Venue | Fort Myers, Fla. | Swanson Stadium |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes |
| Live Stats | Live Stats |
| Watch | YouTube Live (Free) |
| Listen | Fox Sports Radio |
| @EMU_Baseball | @EMUAthletics | |
FORT MYERS, Fla. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University baseball team is set to travel to Fort Myers, Fla., where it will play a single game against Florida Gulf Coast University Tuesday, Feb. 25. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. inside Swanson Stadium.
The game can be viewed on YouTube for free via the Florida Gulf Coast channel. Fox Sports will carry the game on the airwaves, and can be found via FoxSportsFM.com. Live stats will be available through the Eastern Michigan University Athletics website, EMUEagles.com/livestats. The team's Twitter, @EMU_Baseball will also have inning-by-inning updates throughout the weekend.
50-YEAR ANNIVERSARY: 2020 marks 50 years since the Eastern Michigan baseball program captured the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national championship. The then-Hurons won five out of six games to capture the title, as it defeated Emporia State, New Haven, Northeast Louisiana (twice), and Livingston to capture the crown.
Jeff Peck was named the Tournament MVP after setting a national tournament mark at the plate, where he went 13-for-23 (.565) with three RBIs. Eastern Michigan shortstop Terry Collins was named the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Tournament, as the Hurons finished the season with a 41-11 mark.
REINKALL SHINES AGAINST PITT: Junior college transfer Justin Reinkall was impressive in two appearances on the bump for EMU this week, both against Pittsburgh. He went 2.1 innings on Feb. 21, allowing just one hit while striking out two Panther batters. In his next appearance, Feb. 22, he was just as effective, going three complete innings while surrendering just one run. Reinkall did not allow a free pass in either appearance, and had the best ERA on the team of any Eagle who has tossed more than one inning (1.69).
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 their 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.
TIMKO PACING THE EAGLES: Redshirt junior Jeff Timko paced the Eagle offense in its three-game set against Pittsburgh, Feb. 21-23. The fourth-year Eagle was 4-for-12 (.333) at the dish, and had a team-best .417 slugging percentage. Timko's five total bases and three runs were also team-highs.
The Rochester Hills, Mich. native leads the team with a .346 average and nine hits, and three doubles this season. His three two-baggers are tied for second-most in the MAC.
TOPS IN THE MAC: EMU's .985 fielding percentage is the best of any school in the Mid-American Conference, and ranks 23rd nationally. EMU has just three errors in nearly 200 chances this season.
STILL AMONG LEAD LEADERS: Although the EMU offense scored just eight runs in three games against Pitt, the EMU club is still one of the best in the MAC when it comes to hitting. EMU's .258 average is fourth-best in the conference, while its 43 total strikeouts are third-lowest in the league.
WARKENTIN WARMS UP: After failing to record a hit in the first four games of the 2020 season (0-for-15), junior transfer Daniel Warkentin found his swing in the final two games against Pitt, Feb. 22-23. Warkentin knocked one hit in game two of the series before compiling a 3-for-4 outing in the series finale. Warkentin's three hits were a team-best in that game.
ALL-TIME AGAINST FCGU: Eastern is still in search of its first victory against Florida Guld Coast, which holds a 5-0 advantage in the all-time series. EMU most recently played against FGCU in a four-game set to open the 2018 season. Florida Gulf Coast outscored EMU, 38-26, in a sweep of the Green and White.
AGAINST THE ATLANTIC SUN: Eastern Michigan is 4-12-1 all-time against the Atlantic Sun Conference. EMU has played FGCU more than any other A-Sun team (5 games), and most recently faced NJIT in a four-game set to begin the 2019 campaign.
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.
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."
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.
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)
ON THE HORIZON: EMU stays in Florida as it travels to Port Charlotte for a four-game stint at the 2020 Snowbird Classic. EMU will play games against Saint Louis (Feb. 28), Villanova (Feb. 29), and two games against Northeastern (Feb. 29-March 1).
The game can be viewed on YouTube for free via the Florida Gulf Coast channel. Fox Sports will carry the game on the airwaves, and can be found via FoxSportsFM.com. Live stats will be available through the Eastern Michigan University Athletics website, EMUEagles.com/livestats. The team's Twitter, @EMU_Baseball will also have inning-by-inning updates throughout the weekend.
50-YEAR ANNIVERSARY: 2020 marks 50 years since the Eastern Michigan baseball program captured the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national championship. The then-Hurons won five out of six games to capture the title, as it defeated Emporia State, New Haven, Northeast Louisiana (twice), and Livingston to capture the crown.
Jeff Peck was named the Tournament MVP after setting a national tournament mark at the plate, where he went 13-for-23 (.565) with three RBIs. Eastern Michigan shortstop Terry Collins was named the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Tournament, as the Hurons finished the season with a 41-11 mark.
REINKALL SHINES AGAINST PITT: Junior college transfer Justin Reinkall was impressive in two appearances on the bump for EMU this week, both against Pittsburgh. He went 2.1 innings on Feb. 21, allowing just one hit while striking out two Panther batters. In his next appearance, Feb. 22, he was just as effective, going three complete innings while surrendering just one run. Reinkall did not allow a free pass in either appearance, and had the best ERA on the team of any Eagle who has tossed more than one inning (1.69).
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 their 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.
TIMKO PACING THE EAGLES: Redshirt junior Jeff Timko paced the Eagle offense in its three-game set against Pittsburgh, Feb. 21-23. The fourth-year Eagle was 4-for-12 (.333) at the dish, and had a team-best .417 slugging percentage. Timko's five total bases and three runs were also team-highs.
The Rochester Hills, Mich. native leads the team with a .346 average and nine hits, and three doubles this season. His three two-baggers are tied for second-most in the MAC.
TOPS IN THE MAC: EMU's .985 fielding percentage is the best of any school in the Mid-American Conference, and ranks 23rd nationally. EMU has just three errors in nearly 200 chances this season.
STILL AMONG LEAD LEADERS: Although the EMU offense scored just eight runs in three games against Pitt, the EMU club is still one of the best in the MAC when it comes to hitting. EMU's .258 average is fourth-best in the conference, while its 43 total strikeouts are third-lowest in the league.
WARKENTIN WARMS UP: After failing to record a hit in the first four games of the 2020 season (0-for-15), junior transfer Daniel Warkentin found his swing in the final two games against Pitt, Feb. 22-23. Warkentin knocked one hit in game two of the series before compiling a 3-for-4 outing in the series finale. Warkentin's three hits were a team-best in that game.
ALL-TIME AGAINST FCGU: Eastern is still in search of its first victory against Florida Guld Coast, which holds a 5-0 advantage in the all-time series. EMU most recently played against FGCU in a four-game set to open the 2018 season. Florida Gulf Coast outscored EMU, 38-26, in a sweep of the Green and White.
AGAINST THE ATLANTIC SUN: Eastern Michigan is 4-12-1 all-time against the Atlantic Sun Conference. EMU has played FGCU more than any other A-Sun team (5 games), and most recently faced NJIT in a four-game set to begin the 2019 campaign.
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.
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."
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.
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)
ON THE HORIZON: EMU stays in Florida as it travels to Port Charlotte for a four-game stint at the 2020 Snowbird Classic. EMU will play games against Saint Louis (Feb. 28), Villanova (Feb. 29), and two games against Northeastern (Feb. 29-March 1).
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