Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, March 20
Akron, Ohio
12 p.m.
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Baseball Drops Doubleheader to Akron
3/20/2021 5:18:00 PM | Baseball
The two sides combined for seven home runs on the afternoon
AKRON, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball team dropped both of its contests to the University of Akron, March 20, in a Saturday, Mid-American Conference doubleheader at Skeeles Field.
Eastern (5-7, 1-2 MAC) was stifled by first-inning scoring from Akron (7-2, 2-1 MAC), who combined for six first-frame runs over the two contests.
Game One: Akron 8, Eastern Michigan 6
A six-run rally in the final two innings was not enough for Eastern Michigan to overcome Akron's 8-0 lead, as it fell to the Zips, 8-6, in the first of two games Saturday.
Junior Will Oberg (Wayzata, Minn.-Wayzata (Heartland)) recorded his second multi-hit game of the series, leading Eastern with two hits, two runs, and two RBIs. Junior Taylor Hopkins (Mason, Ohio-Archbishop Moeller) also tallied his second such performance of the series, and third of the season, with two hits in the first game.
Senior John Holt (Saline, Mich.-Saline) recorded his first outing of the season on the mound without allowing a hit, aided by two strikeouts, while sophomore Tyler Helgeson (Portage, Mich.-Portage Northern) retired the side in order for the first time this season.
Akron was the first to put a run on the board for the second straight game, taking a 4-0 lead after the first inning on a two-out RBI single and three-run home run. After adding one run in the fourth inning, the Zips hit two home runs in the fifth to extend their lead to 8-0.
Eastern saw its first offense begin in the sixth inning, with senior Jeff Timko (Rochester Hills, Mich.-Brother Rice) notching the Eagles' first hit of the day with a single up the middle. Leadoff hitter Oberg followed, blasting his first home run in the Green and White to put the Eagles on the board, 8-2. After freshman Mark Kattula (Sterling Heights, Mich.-Stevenson) drew a walk, Hopkins singled to right field, and both were able to advance on the throw to put two runners in scoring position for senior Christian Bault (Maineville, Ohio-Archbishop Moeller (Lincoln Trail)). Although he grounded out, Bault recorded an RBI, and the Eagles trailed 8-3 after five and a half innings.
Entering to pitch in the bottom half of the sixth was Helgeson, who recorded his first 1-2-3 inning of the season, notching three quick outs via flyout, groundout, and strikeout.
In its final at-bats of game one, Eastern put together a three-run, two-out rally to make one final push to catch the Zips. After getting on base via walk, senior Drake Peggs (Knightstown, Ind.-Knightstown Community) moved in to scoring position on an Oberg single. With two on, Kattula stepped to the plate and launched a three-run shot to pull the Eagles within two, 8-6. Hopkins came to the plate next, notching a single and forcing a pitching change from the Zips. Despite the momentum, a strikeout ended the game with Akron taking the win, 8-6.
Game Two: Akron 3, Eastern Michigan 2
Overcoming a 2-0 deficit to tie the game in the sixth inning, Eastern Michigan ultimately fell to Akron in the second Saturday contest, 3-2.
Senior Luke McGuire (Shelby Twp., Mich.-Stevenson) pitched the entire game for the Green and White, striking out two in 6.0 innings pitched, as well as recording three straight 1-2-3 innings in the third, fourth, and fifth frames, respectively.
For the third straight contest, Akron opened the scoring in the first inning. With two outs, the Zips knocked back-to-back singles for the 2-0 advantage.
The Eagles saw an opportunity to put a run on the board in the top of the fourth, with senior Nick Jones (Battle Creek, Mich.-Lakeview) sending a single up the middle, followed by a double by classmate Eli Gora (Cincinnati, Ohio-Anderson) that put two runners in scoring position for Eastern with one out. However, the Zips were able to strikeout the next two batters to escape the threat.
Jones would find himself on base again in the sixth, this time after being hit by the pitch. With two outs, Timko came to plate and launched his third home run of the season to tie the game at two-all. Bault was able to draw the walk in the next plate appearance for the Eagles, but a flyout would end the inning in the next at-bat.
Akron responded quickly, with a leadoff solo shot in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead back, 3-2. Although McGuire would retire the next three Zips in order, the Eagles were not able to find a run in response in the top of the seventh, sealing the win for Akron, 3-2.
The final game of the series will take place tomorrow, March 21, at 11 a.m.
To stay up to date on all things EMU baseball, continue to check EMUEagles.com, or follow the team on Twitter, @EMU_Baseball.
Eastern (5-7, 1-2 MAC) was stifled by first-inning scoring from Akron (7-2, 2-1 MAC), who combined for six first-frame runs over the two contests.
Game One: Akron 8, Eastern Michigan 6
A six-run rally in the final two innings was not enough for Eastern Michigan to overcome Akron's 8-0 lead, as it fell to the Zips, 8-6, in the first of two games Saturday.
Junior Will Oberg (Wayzata, Minn.-Wayzata (Heartland)) recorded his second multi-hit game of the series, leading Eastern with two hits, two runs, and two RBIs. Junior Taylor Hopkins (Mason, Ohio-Archbishop Moeller) also tallied his second such performance of the series, and third of the season, with two hits in the first game.
Senior John Holt (Saline, Mich.-Saline) recorded his first outing of the season on the mound without allowing a hit, aided by two strikeouts, while sophomore Tyler Helgeson (Portage, Mich.-Portage Northern) retired the side in order for the first time this season.
Akron was the first to put a run on the board for the second straight game, taking a 4-0 lead after the first inning on a two-out RBI single and three-run home run. After adding one run in the fourth inning, the Zips hit two home runs in the fifth to extend their lead to 8-0.
Eastern saw its first offense begin in the sixth inning, with senior Jeff Timko (Rochester Hills, Mich.-Brother Rice) notching the Eagles' first hit of the day with a single up the middle. Leadoff hitter Oberg followed, blasting his first home run in the Green and White to put the Eagles on the board, 8-2. After freshman Mark Kattula (Sterling Heights, Mich.-Stevenson) drew a walk, Hopkins singled to right field, and both were able to advance on the throw to put two runners in scoring position for senior Christian Bault (Maineville, Ohio-Archbishop Moeller (Lincoln Trail)). Although he grounded out, Bault recorded an RBI, and the Eagles trailed 8-3 after five and a half innings.
Entering to pitch in the bottom half of the sixth was Helgeson, who recorded his first 1-2-3 inning of the season, notching three quick outs via flyout, groundout, and strikeout.
In its final at-bats of game one, Eastern put together a three-run, two-out rally to make one final push to catch the Zips. After getting on base via walk, senior Drake Peggs (Knightstown, Ind.-Knightstown Community) moved in to scoring position on an Oberg single. With two on, Kattula stepped to the plate and launched a three-run shot to pull the Eagles within two, 8-6. Hopkins came to the plate next, notching a single and forcing a pitching change from the Zips. Despite the momentum, a strikeout ended the game with Akron taking the win, 8-6.
Game Two: Akron 3, Eastern Michigan 2
Overcoming a 2-0 deficit to tie the game in the sixth inning, Eastern Michigan ultimately fell to Akron in the second Saturday contest, 3-2.
Senior Luke McGuire (Shelby Twp., Mich.-Stevenson) pitched the entire game for the Green and White, striking out two in 6.0 innings pitched, as well as recording three straight 1-2-3 innings in the third, fourth, and fifth frames, respectively.
For the third straight contest, Akron opened the scoring in the first inning. With two outs, the Zips knocked back-to-back singles for the 2-0 advantage.
The Eagles saw an opportunity to put a run on the board in the top of the fourth, with senior Nick Jones (Battle Creek, Mich.-Lakeview) sending a single up the middle, followed by a double by classmate Eli Gora (Cincinnati, Ohio-Anderson) that put two runners in scoring position for Eastern with one out. However, the Zips were able to strikeout the next two batters to escape the threat.
Jones would find himself on base again in the sixth, this time after being hit by the pitch. With two outs, Timko came to plate and launched his third home run of the season to tie the game at two-all. Bault was able to draw the walk in the next plate appearance for the Eagles, but a flyout would end the inning in the next at-bat.
Akron responded quickly, with a leadoff solo shot in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead back, 3-2. Although McGuire would retire the next three Zips in order, the Eagles were not able to find a run in response in the top of the seventh, sealing the win for Akron, 3-2.
The final game of the series will take place tomorrow, March 21, at 11 a.m.
To stay up to date on all things EMU baseball, continue to check EMUEagles.com, or follow the team on Twitter, @EMU_Baseball.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: CREEL, John (0-0)
L: Meis, Justin (0-0)
S: MEYER, Mark (0)
Batting:
HR: Oberg, Will 1 ; Kattula, Mark 1
RBI: Oberg, Will 2 ; Kattula, Mark 3 ; Bault, Christian 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Oberg, Will 2 ; Kattula, Mark 2 ; Peggs, Drake 1 ; Timko, Jeff 1
SB: Oberg, Will 1 ; Kattula, Mark 1
CS: Jones, Nick 1
HBP: Oberg, Will 1
Batting:
2B: THURMAN, Roy 1 ; BARR, Justin 1
HR: REGAN, Connor 1 ; TILLY, Cameron 2
RBI: THURMAN, Roy 1 ; REGAN, Connor 2 ; TILLY, Cameron 5
SH: REGAN, Connor 1
Base Running:
RUNS: THURMAN, Roy 1 ; REGAN, Connor 2 ; NOWAK, Josh 2 ; TILLY, Cameron 2 ; GOULET, Bradley 1
SB: REINHART, Jerry 1 ; GOULET, Bradley 1
Game Leaders
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Players Mentioned
IF/OF
/ Baseball
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C/IF
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/ BaseballIF
/ Baseball
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