Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, April 16
Oestrike Stadium
6 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
9-17, 5-12
10
vs
6
Ball State
19-10, 10-3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Ball State
1
0
1
0
0
1
2
1
0
6
10
1
Eastern Michigan
0
3
1
1
0
1
1
3
X
10
15
1
Offense Erupts as Baseball Downs MAC-Leading Ball State
4/16/2021 9:41:00 PM | Baseball
EMU tallied a season-best 15 hits; Denton goes 4-for-4
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball team had success all around the diamond tonight, April 16, against its Mid-American Conference rival, Ball State University as it defeated the Cardinals, 10-6, under the lights at Oestrike Stadium.
The first game of a four-game weekend set between the foes saw Eastern (9-17, 5-12 MAC) outpace Ball State (19-10, 10-3 MAC) in runs (10-6), hits (15-10), RBI (9-6), and home runs (1-0), to earn its first home win of the season. EMU's 15 hits is a season-best, while its nine RBIs tie for the season-best mark.
Offensively, it was junior transfer Gabe Denton (Clare, Mich.-Clare (North Iowa)) who paced the Eagles as he put together his best game to-date as a member of the Ypsilanti-based club. In fact, his line was arguably the best by an Eagle in any game this season. The Clare, Mich. native finished his evening with season-best numbers in hits (4), RBIs (4), extra-base hits (3), doubles (2), and home runs (1; tied for season-best). Denton's performance in each of those categories was either a new single-game season-high or tied for single-game season-high by any EMU hitter this season. His effort, his first perfect outing (4-for-4) with EMU, was the first four-hit contest by a member of the team since senior captain Nick Jones (Battle Creek, Mich.-Lakeview) did it against Miami on March 30, 2019. Four additional Eagles tallied two-hit performances.
On the hill, senior right-hander Luke McGuire (Shelby Twp., Mich.-Stevenson) put together an impressive outing. The Mitten State native tossed 115 pitches over 6.0 innings of work. He allowed just three runs (two earned) on seven hits, and only issued three free passes. He added four strikeouts to his resume before his outing was complete. McGuire gave way to sophomore Trevor House (Okeana, Ohio-Ross), who worked one inning before giving way to the pair of junior Zach Fruit (Dundee, Mich.-Dundee (Lansing)), and senior Justin Reinkall (Superior, Wisc.-Superior (Southeast)), who worked together to close out the night in impressive fashion.
After failing to cross the plate in its first at-bat of the contest, the Eastern Michigan offense put together one of its best three-inning stretches of the season in the second, third, and fourth frames, respectively. In fact, the Green and White were able to score runs in each of those frames to notch runs in three consecutive innings for just the second time this season and first time since it did so at Akron, March 19 (innings 7-9). The Eagles did it again in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, respectively.
Down, 1-0, in the bottom of the second inning, it was senior Christian Bault (Maineville, Ohio-Archbishop Moeller (Lincoln Trail)) who got the frame going for the Eagles as he notched a single to get himself on base in his first at-bat. Still on with one out, Bault advanced to third when fellow senior Nate Jones (Battle Creek, Mich.-Lakeview) belted a single down the right field line. After a drawn walk by senior Shane Easter (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Comstock) loaded the bases with Eagles, it was Denton who stepped to the plate. He wasted no time taking advantage of the opportunity as he found a hole in the left side and recorded an RBI-single. Tied at one-apiece, Eastern added a second run moments later via a fielder's choice, before tacking on a third when junior shortstop Taylor Hopkins (Mason, Ohio-Archbishop Moeller) delivered with the team's second RBI-knock of the inning, a shot which brought Easter around to score, and put the Eagles ahead, 3-1.
Still with momentum, the EMU bats added another run in the bottom of the third. With a runner on third and one out, senior Daniel Warkentin (Leamington, Ontario-Leamington District (Parkland)) was able to lift a sacrifice fly into right field and record an RBI in the process, an effort that put Eastern's advantage back at a pair, 4-2. Eastern and Denton remained hot in the fourth inning as well when they strung together a single and RBI-double, respectively, to score EMU's fifth run of the contest and further the home team's lead, 5-2.
On the mound, McGuire recovered in impressive fashion after relinquishing a first-inning run to blank the Cardinals in the second frame. Although the visitors added a run in the third frame, McGuire continued to battle. He was able to finish his final three innings of work having allowed just one run on two Ball State Hits. When McGuire handed the ball off to his help from the bullpen, he did so with an impressive 6-3 lead in hand. The sixth run in that total was courtesy of Denton, who blasted a no-doubt homer into adjacent Scicluna Field, the home pitch of the EMU soccer team.
Despite Eastern's success, the MAC standings leader, BSU, refused to go down easily, and found a way to score two runs of its own in the top half of the seventh inning. The runs came with two outs and two strikes, and got the Cardinals back within one run, 6-5.
Needing insurance, Eastern went back to work at the plate in the bottom of the frame. With runners on first and second, it was none other than Denton that came through with incredible late-game poise, delivering what was his fourth hit and RBI of the day to give Easter a two-run cushion, 7-5. Although Eastern could not add another run in the frame, Denton's RBI proved critical, as Ball State came out swinging once again in the eighth.
Following an unideal start to the eighth inning that saw Ball State load the bases, senior Justin Reinkall (Superior, Wisc.-Superior (Southeast)) took the bump to face the pressure-packed situation. After a fielder's choice allowed the Cardinals to score and get within one, 7-6, Reinkall faced his most important test of the night. With the tying run at third and the go-ahead score at second, the Superior, Wisc. native was the victim of a line-drive shot off his shin. Despite being in clear pain, the upperclassman hurler was able to collect the ball and toss a strike to first base in time to get the runner and preserve EMU's lead, 7-6.
Trying to aid its relief staff in its own eighth-frame at-bat, the Eagles battled to load the bases with just one out. At the dish with the chance to extend his team's lead, Warkentin did just that, as he softly lifted an RBI-single into right field to score a run and extend the EMU lead, 8-6. Eastern added two more runs via an errant throw and wild pitch.
Up 10-6 in the top of the ninth, the four-run cushion was more than enough for Reinkall, who made quick work of the Cardinals in their last-chance effort.
When the game went final, it was the home team celebrating its 10-6 victory.
The two teams will return to Oestrike Stadium for a pair of seven-inning games tomorrow, April 17, beginning at 3 p.m. The series will conclude Sunday, April 18, at 1 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information on all things EMU baseball, visit EMUEagles.com and follow the team on social media at @EMU_Baseball.
The first game of a four-game weekend set between the foes saw Eastern (9-17, 5-12 MAC) outpace Ball State (19-10, 10-3 MAC) in runs (10-6), hits (15-10), RBI (9-6), and home runs (1-0), to earn its first home win of the season. EMU's 15 hits is a season-best, while its nine RBIs tie for the season-best mark.
Offensively, it was junior transfer Gabe Denton (Clare, Mich.-Clare (North Iowa)) who paced the Eagles as he put together his best game to-date as a member of the Ypsilanti-based club. In fact, his line was arguably the best by an Eagle in any game this season. The Clare, Mich. native finished his evening with season-best numbers in hits (4), RBIs (4), extra-base hits (3), doubles (2), and home runs (1; tied for season-best). Denton's performance in each of those categories was either a new single-game season-high or tied for single-game season-high by any EMU hitter this season. His effort, his first perfect outing (4-for-4) with EMU, was the first four-hit contest by a member of the team since senior captain Nick Jones (Battle Creek, Mich.-Lakeview) did it against Miami on March 30, 2019. Four additional Eagles tallied two-hit performances.
On the hill, senior right-hander Luke McGuire (Shelby Twp., Mich.-Stevenson) put together an impressive outing. The Mitten State native tossed 115 pitches over 6.0 innings of work. He allowed just three runs (two earned) on seven hits, and only issued three free passes. He added four strikeouts to his resume before his outing was complete. McGuire gave way to sophomore Trevor House (Okeana, Ohio-Ross), who worked one inning before giving way to the pair of junior Zach Fruit (Dundee, Mich.-Dundee (Lansing)), and senior Justin Reinkall (Superior, Wisc.-Superior (Southeast)), who worked together to close out the night in impressive fashion.
After failing to cross the plate in its first at-bat of the contest, the Eastern Michigan offense put together one of its best three-inning stretches of the season in the second, third, and fourth frames, respectively. In fact, the Green and White were able to score runs in each of those frames to notch runs in three consecutive innings for just the second time this season and first time since it did so at Akron, March 19 (innings 7-9). The Eagles did it again in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, respectively.
Down, 1-0, in the bottom of the second inning, it was senior Christian Bault (Maineville, Ohio-Archbishop Moeller (Lincoln Trail)) who got the frame going for the Eagles as he notched a single to get himself on base in his first at-bat. Still on with one out, Bault advanced to third when fellow senior Nate Jones (Battle Creek, Mich.-Lakeview) belted a single down the right field line. After a drawn walk by senior Shane Easter (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Comstock) loaded the bases with Eagles, it was Denton who stepped to the plate. He wasted no time taking advantage of the opportunity as he found a hole in the left side and recorded an RBI-single. Tied at one-apiece, Eastern added a second run moments later via a fielder's choice, before tacking on a third when junior shortstop Taylor Hopkins (Mason, Ohio-Archbishop Moeller) delivered with the team's second RBI-knock of the inning, a shot which brought Easter around to score, and put the Eagles ahead, 3-1.
Still with momentum, the EMU bats added another run in the bottom of the third. With a runner on third and one out, senior Daniel Warkentin (Leamington, Ontario-Leamington District (Parkland)) was able to lift a sacrifice fly into right field and record an RBI in the process, an effort that put Eastern's advantage back at a pair, 4-2. Eastern and Denton remained hot in the fourth inning as well when they strung together a single and RBI-double, respectively, to score EMU's fifth run of the contest and further the home team's lead, 5-2.
On the mound, McGuire recovered in impressive fashion after relinquishing a first-inning run to blank the Cardinals in the second frame. Although the visitors added a run in the third frame, McGuire continued to battle. He was able to finish his final three innings of work having allowed just one run on two Ball State Hits. When McGuire handed the ball off to his help from the bullpen, he did so with an impressive 6-3 lead in hand. The sixth run in that total was courtesy of Denton, who blasted a no-doubt homer into adjacent Scicluna Field, the home pitch of the EMU soccer team.
Despite Eastern's success, the MAC standings leader, BSU, refused to go down easily, and found a way to score two runs of its own in the top half of the seventh inning. The runs came with two outs and two strikes, and got the Cardinals back within one run, 6-5.
Needing insurance, Eastern went back to work at the plate in the bottom of the frame. With runners on first and second, it was none other than Denton that came through with incredible late-game poise, delivering what was his fourth hit and RBI of the day to give Easter a two-run cushion, 7-5. Although Eastern could not add another run in the frame, Denton's RBI proved critical, as Ball State came out swinging once again in the eighth.
Following an unideal start to the eighth inning that saw Ball State load the bases, senior Justin Reinkall (Superior, Wisc.-Superior (Southeast)) took the bump to face the pressure-packed situation. After a fielder's choice allowed the Cardinals to score and get within one, 7-6, Reinkall faced his most important test of the night. With the tying run at third and the go-ahead score at second, the Superior, Wisc. native was the victim of a line-drive shot off his shin. Despite being in clear pain, the upperclassman hurler was able to collect the ball and toss a strike to first base in time to get the runner and preserve EMU's lead, 7-6.
Trying to aid its relief staff in its own eighth-frame at-bat, the Eagles battled to load the bases with just one out. At the dish with the chance to extend his team's lead, Warkentin did just that, as he softly lifted an RBI-single into right field to score a run and extend the EMU lead, 8-6. Eastern added two more runs via an errant throw and wild pitch.
Up 10-6 in the top of the ninth, the four-run cushion was more than enough for Reinkall, who made quick work of the Cardinals in their last-chance effort.
When the game went final, it was the home team celebrating its 10-6 victory.
The two teams will return to Oestrike Stadium for a pair of seven-inning games tomorrow, April 17, beginning at 3 p.m. The series will conclude Sunday, April 18, at 1 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information on all things EMU baseball, visit EMUEagles.com and follow the team on social media at @EMU_Baseball.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: McGuire, Luke (2-4)
L: BAKER, John (3-2)
S: Reinkall, Justin (2)
Batting:
2B: PELTIER, Ryan 1 ; QUARTERMAINE, T. 1
3B: SIMPSON, Aaron 1
RBI: MESSINA, Ross 1 ; POWELL, Nick 1 ; QUARTERMAINE, T. 3 ; SEBBY, Chase 1
SF: SEBBY, Chase 1
Base Running:
RUNS: TELLIER, Adam 1 ; NAVARRO, Noah 1 ; POWELL, Nick 1 ; PELTIER, Ryan 1 ; SIMPSON, Aaron 1 ; CHRISTIANSON, Adam 1
SB: TELLIER, Adam 1 ; MESSINA, Ross 1 ; POWELL, Nick 1
HBP: SIMPSON, Aaron 1
Batting:
2B: Denton, Gabe 2
HR: Denton, Gabe 1
RBI: Hopkins, Taylor 1 ; Warkentin, Daniel 2 ; Jones, Nate 1 ; Denton, Gabe 4 ; Helgeson, Tyler 1
SH: Jones, Nick 1 ; Bault, Christian 1
SF: Warkentin, Daniel 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hopkins, Taylor 1 ; Gora, Eli 1 ; Sharkas, Anthony 1 ; Bault, Christian 3 ; Jones, Nate 1 ; Easter, Shane 2 ; Denton, Gabe 1
CS: Jones, Nick 1
HBP: Gora, Eli 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
1
H
4
RBI
4
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
IF
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IF/OF
/ Baseball
RHP
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LHP
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OF
/ Baseball
C/IF
/ Baseball
RHP
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RHP
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