Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, February 28
Port Charlotte, Fla.
11 a.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
North Dakota State
Baseball Lands in Port Charlotte for Snowbird Classic
2/26/2020 1:36:00 PM | Baseball
EMU is set to play four games against three teams to close out its spring break trip
| Feb. 28-March 1 in Port Charlotte, Fla. | |
| Date | Friday-Sunday, Feb. 28-March 1 |
| Venue | Port Charlotte, Fla. |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes |
| Live Stats | Live Stats |
| Watch | FloLive TV |
| @EMU_Baseball | @EMUAthletics | |
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University baseball team has landed in Port Charlotte, Fla., where it will play four games between Friday, Feb. 28 and Sunday, March 1, as part of the 2020 Snowbird Classic. The week gets underway with a single game against Saint Louis University, Feb. 28, before the team plays a doubleheader against Villanova, and Northeastern, Feb. 29. EMU will close out its spring break trip with a single game against Northeastern Sunday, March. 1.
The games can be viewed on FloLive TV, however a paid subscription is required. More information can be found at www.FloLive.TV. 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 they 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.
BAULT PROVIDES SPARK AT FGCU: Junior college transfer Christian Bault led the EMU offense at Florida Gulf Coast, Feb. 25. The Maineville, Ohio native was one of four Eagles to record a hit in the contest, and was the only member of the Green and White to register a multi-hit performance. He now has two multi-hit efforts in seven-career games with EMU. Bault also contributed the team's only RBIs against FGCU (2). His .259 batting average is currently good for fourth on the team, while his seven hits are tied for third.
WATCH OUT FOR WAGONER: After struggling in his first two collegiate outings (at Austin Peay, Feb. 15; at Pittsburgh, Feb. 22) freshman hurler Cameron Wagoner looked dominant against Florida Gulf Coast, Feb. 25. The 2019 22nd round draft pick of the Texas Rangers tossed three scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and two free passes while striking out four. Prior to Tuesday's appearance, Wagoner had given up six earned runs in just 1.1 total innings of work.
HOW ABOUT HOUSE: Junior Thomas House got his first start of the season at Florida Gulf Coast, Feb. 25, and had an impressive outing for the Green and White. The Ross, Ohio native went four innings strong, allowing just two hits and one earned run, while striking out four. In total, the EMU pitching staff allowed a season-low seven hits in the game, spearheaded by House's game-best four-inning effort.
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).
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 .300 average and nine hits, including three doubles this season. His three two-baggers are tied for second-most in the MAC.
AMONG THE BEST IN THE MAC: EMU's .978 fielding percentage is the second-best of any school in the Mid-American Conference, and ranks 60th nationally. EMU has just five errors in 230 chances this season.
STILL AMONG LEAGUE LEADERS: Although the EMU offense scored just two runs against FGCU, the EMU club is still one of the best in the MAC when it comes to hitting. EMU's .243 average is fifth-best in the conference, while its 43 total strikeouts are fourth-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.
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 played nearly 1,083 miles from the comfort of home, when it traveled to Fort Myers, Fla. for a single game against Florida Gulf Coast.
ALL-TIME AGAINST SAINT LOUIS: The Eagles and Billikens are set to meet for the first time on the diamond when the two squads face off on Friday. SLU is off to a 5-1 start in 2020 after finishing the 2019 campaign with a 25-30 overall mark.
AGAINST THE ATLANTIC 10: EMU is no stranger when it comes to facing opponents from the A-10. 2020 will mark the fifth-consecutive season that sees at least one A-10 opponent on Eastern's schedule. Most recently, The Eagles defeated an A-10 foe when they trounced Dayton, 10-2, in a single game played March 12, 2019.
ALL-TIME VS. VILLANOVA: EMU and Villanova have met twice previously, with each team coming away with a victory in hand. The two teams met most recently in the 2000 season, where the Wildcats bested the Eagles, 6-5, in a neutral site game played in Homestead, Fla.
AGAINST THE BIG EAST: EMU is fairly familiar with the Big East Conference, as it has played 16 games all-time against its league members. A favorable conference-series for the Green and White, Eastern holds a 9-7 record against Big East teams.
ALL-TIME AGAINST NORTHEASTERN: EMU and Northeastern have never met on the baseball diamond. The teams will play twice in Port Charlotte, Fla. The Huskies are 3-3 on the season and are coming off a three-game sweep of South Florida.
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 returns home before heading to the Buckeye State for a three-game set with Cincinnati, March 6-8.
The games can be viewed on FloLive TV, however a paid subscription is required. More information can be found at www.FloLive.TV. 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 they 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.
BAULT PROVIDES SPARK AT FGCU: Junior college transfer Christian Bault led the EMU offense at Florida Gulf Coast, Feb. 25. The Maineville, Ohio native was one of four Eagles to record a hit in the contest, and was the only member of the Green and White to register a multi-hit performance. He now has two multi-hit efforts in seven-career games with EMU. Bault also contributed the team's only RBIs against FGCU (2). His .259 batting average is currently good for fourth on the team, while his seven hits are tied for third.
WATCH OUT FOR WAGONER: After struggling in his first two collegiate outings (at Austin Peay, Feb. 15; at Pittsburgh, Feb. 22) freshman hurler Cameron Wagoner looked dominant against Florida Gulf Coast, Feb. 25. The 2019 22nd round draft pick of the Texas Rangers tossed three scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and two free passes while striking out four. Prior to Tuesday's appearance, Wagoner had given up six earned runs in just 1.1 total innings of work.
HOW ABOUT HOUSE: Junior Thomas House got his first start of the season at Florida Gulf Coast, Feb. 25, and had an impressive outing for the Green and White. The Ross, Ohio native went four innings strong, allowing just two hits and one earned run, while striking out four. In total, the EMU pitching staff allowed a season-low seven hits in the game, spearheaded by House's game-best four-inning effort.
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).
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 .300 average and nine hits, including three doubles this season. His three two-baggers are tied for second-most in the MAC.
AMONG THE BEST IN THE MAC: EMU's .978 fielding percentage is the second-best of any school in the Mid-American Conference, and ranks 60th nationally. EMU has just five errors in 230 chances this season.
STILL AMONG LEAGUE LEADERS: Although the EMU offense scored just two runs against FGCU, the EMU club is still one of the best in the MAC when it comes to hitting. EMU's .243 average is fifth-best in the conference, while its 43 total strikeouts are fourth-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.
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 played nearly 1,083 miles from the comfort of home, when it traveled to Fort Myers, Fla. for a single game against Florida Gulf Coast.
ALL-TIME AGAINST SAINT LOUIS: The Eagles and Billikens are set to meet for the first time on the diamond when the two squads face off on Friday. SLU is off to a 5-1 start in 2020 after finishing the 2019 campaign with a 25-30 overall mark.
AGAINST THE ATLANTIC 10: EMU is no stranger when it comes to facing opponents from the A-10. 2020 will mark the fifth-consecutive season that sees at least one A-10 opponent on Eastern's schedule. Most recently, The Eagles defeated an A-10 foe when they trounced Dayton, 10-2, in a single game played March 12, 2019.
ALL-TIME VS. VILLANOVA: EMU and Villanova have met twice previously, with each team coming away with a victory in hand. The two teams met most recently in the 2000 season, where the Wildcats bested the Eagles, 6-5, in a neutral site game played in Homestead, Fla.
AGAINST THE BIG EAST: EMU is fairly familiar with the Big East Conference, as it has played 16 games all-time against its league members. A favorable conference-series for the Green and White, Eastern holds a 9-7 record against Big East teams.
ALL-TIME AGAINST NORTHEASTERN: EMU and Northeastern have never met on the baseball diamond. The teams will play twice in Port Charlotte, Fla. The Huskies are 3-3 on the season and are coming off a three-game sweep of South Florida.
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 returns home before heading to the Buckeye State for a three-game set with Cincinnati, March 6-8.
Players Mentioned
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