Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, May 1
St. Bonaventure, N.Y.
12 p.m.
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Baseball Sweeps St. Bonaventure in Saturday Doubleheader
5/1/2021 6:44:00 PM | Baseball
Gabe Denton and Mike Monahan each finished with seven hits
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. (EMUEagles.com) – In its first action since April 16, the Eastern Michigan University baseball team swept St. Bonaventure University in a Saturday doubleheader at Handler Park, May 1. EMU took game one, 20-5, and game two, 13-2.
The wins marked the first time Eastern Michigan (12-19) has scored 12-or-more runs in back-to-back contests since scoring 12 in each game against Ohio, April 15-16, 2017.
Game One: Eastern Michigan 20, St. Bonaventure 5
Scoring right out of the gates, Eastern Michigan amassed 23 hits to score 20 runs and defeat St. Bonaventure in game one, 20-5.
The 20 runs and 23 hits mark the most for the Eagles since Feb. 19, 2013, when EMU defeated Purdue, 20-2, behind 24 hits.
The Eagles scored in each of the first four innings for the first time in 2021, also marking the longest consecutive scoring innings in a game for the Eagles this season. In addition, in the last meeting between the two sides, Feb. 24, 2017, the Green and White also scored in each of the first four innings en route to a 12-7 victory.
At the plate, three Eagles posted four-hit performances. Junior Taylor Hopkins (Mason, Ohio-Archbishop Moeller) went 4-for-4 in his five innings of play, adding two runs and two RBIs. Transfer Gabe Denton (Clare, Mich.-Clare (North Iowa)) recorded his second four-hit game of the season, while also leading the team with six RBIs. Finally, designated hitter Mike Monahan (Saline, Mich.-Saline) notched four hits, scoring four runs and driving in one in his time at the plate.
Overall, 11 different Eagles had a hit in the first game of the afternoon, with six recording multiple hits.
Senior Luke McGuire (Shelby Twp., Mich.-Stevenson), freshman Nick Chittum (Grosse Ile, Mich.-Grosse Ile), and sophomore Luke Russo (Howell, Mich.-Howell) were on the mound for the Eagles in the win. McGuire tossed 6.0 innings, allowing two runs while striking out four, and added three 1-2-3 innings. Chittum took over for 2.0 innings, striking out a career-high four while allowing no hits or runs. Russo closed out the game, throwing the final inning and striking out one.
Hopkins led off the game with a single to second, extending his reached base streak to 10 games and putting the first runner on for Eastern. Two batters later, Christian Bault (Maineville, Ohio-Archbishop Moeller-Lincoln Trail) was hit by a pitch to move Hopkins into scoring position, bringing up Denton, who singled to right field for his first of four hits and put the Eagles up, 1-0, after the first half-inning.
St. Bonaventure also led off with a hit in the first, earning a double, but McGuire settled in and retired the next three to keep the game moving.
Newcomer Will Oberg (Wayzata, Minn-Wayzata (Heartland)) added a pair of runs to the Eagles' lead in the second, launching his second home run of the season to right field, scoring Monahan, who got on with a two-out single in the prior at-bat. The home run not only put the Eagles up, 3-0, but marked Oberg's fifth multiple-RBI game of the season, which leads the Green and White.
McGuire rolled through the Bonnies in the bottom of the second, registering his first three-up, three-down inning of the contest to send the game to the third inning.
Going on the offense once again in the third, Eastern scored nine runs on eight hits, the most runs in a single inning since the 2016 when Eagles scored 12 in the seventh at Lipscomb in a 17-4 win, March 18.
Senior captain Nick Jones (Battle Creek, Mich.-Lakeview) found himself on base via an error by St. Bonaventure to lead off the inning. The Eagles then put together back-to-back singles from Bault and senior Shane Easter (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Comstock) to plate Jones for the first run of the inning.
Denton stepped up to the plate next, and drilled his fourth home run of the season to left field to add three runs to EMU's lead, 7-0. Though Denton's home run cleared the bases, junior Daniel Warkentin (Leamington, Ontario-Leamington District (Parkland)) put himself in scoring position with a triple, his first in the Green and White.
After the Bonnies recorded their first out of the frame, Monahan came to plate, delivering a single up the middle for the 8-0 EMU lead. Bringing up the ninth batter of the inning, Hopkins singled through the right side to score Monahan, who was on second after Oberg was hit by the pitch to put two on base.
Starting the second time through the order in the same inning, Jones drew a walk to load the bases. Sending his second single of the inning to left, Bault plated two for the 11-0 EMU advantage. Bringing Denton back up, the Clare, Mich. native tallied his second extra-base hit of the inning, launching a double to right field, allowing Jones to cross the plate for the second time in the third and give Eastern Michigan a 12-0 lead after the top half of the frame.
Unable to respond to the scoring, St. Bonaventure went down in order in the bottom of the third, the second 1-2-3 inning for McGuire in the contest.
Adding lucky number 13 to its run total on the afternoon, Hopkins notched his fourth hit of the day, knocking a two-out single to right field to score senior Jared Kauffman (Springboro, Ohio-Bishop Fenwick) in the top of the fourth.
St. Bonaventure would find its first run of the afternoon with its first of three home runs, with the first coming in the form of a solo shot to left field. Despite the hit, the Eagles held a 13-1 lead, and would hold it until the sixth inning.
Eastern opened the sixth frame with back-to-singles from freshman Evan Sines (Lancaster, Ohio-Lancaster) and Monahan, and load the bases when Oberg was hit by the pitch for the second time on the afternoon. Taking advantage of a wild pitch by SBU, advancing all three runners, with Sines scoring for the 14-1 lead.
Taking over for Hopkins in the sixth, sophomore Anthony Sharkas (Canton, Mich.-Plymouth) was not able to get on base himself, but did drive in his first run of the season with a groundout. Adding one final run in the sixth, Jones single to left for the 16-1 lead.
Finding one run in response, St. Bonaventure hit a second solo shot in the bottom of the sixth, though EMU still held a comfortable 16-2 lead.
The Eagles would be kept off the board in the seventh, returning to the field with Chittum taking the mound. The newcomer struck out all three St. Bonaventure batters he faced, marking just the second time this season an EMU pitcher has struck out the opposing side in order.
Putting together one more scoring effort in the top of the eighth, it was Monahan who led things off with a single to right center for his fourth hit of the game. He was followed by a single from Oberg and Sharkas being hit by the pitch to once again load the bases with no outs. Making his first appearance of the game, senior Drake Peggs (Knightstown, Ind.-Knightstown Community) doubled to left, his third extra-base hit of the season, allowing two more runs to score for the Green and White.
Sharkas was able to score on a wild pitch, while Peggs moved to third on the play, making way for Denton to notch his sixth RBI of the game with a single to left field and 20-2 Eastern Michigan lead.
The six RBIs for Denton are the most by an Eagle in 2021. Moreover, he was the only current member of the Green and White to have four-or-more RBIs in a game this season at the conclusion of the first game.
St. Bonaventure would finish the game with its third and final home run, a three-run shot to right center in the bottom of the ninth, finalizing the game with a score of 20-5 for Eastern Michigan.
Game Two: Eastern Michigan 13, St. Bonaventure 2
Eastern Michigan proved its high-scoring ability was not a one-time showing, registering another double-digit scoring effort to take down St. Bonaventure, 13-2, in the second game of the afternoon.
Junior Justin Meis (Pittsburgh, Pa.-Bethel Park) earned his first win of the season on the mound, throwing 6.0 scoreless innings, giving up just two hits and one walk, and striking out a career-high 11 batters. The 11 strikeouts are the most by an Eagle in a single game since Sam Delaplane, who struck out 12 in his complete game win over Ohio, April 14, 2017.
Denton and Monahan once again led the Eagles at the plate, each finishing with three hits and four RBIs. Monahan became the second current Eagle to record a game with four-or-more RBIs after his performance.
Unlike the offensive spark that started game one, it was the Eagles defense on display for the first two innings. Meis came out rolling, striking out the Bonnies in order in the first, the second time he has accomplished that feat in the 2021 season. While not striking out all three in the second, Meis and the Eagle defense continued to make quick work of their competition, once again sitting their opponent down in order.
Eastern was able to put on a run on the board first, after Monahan led off the third inning with a triple to center, his first-career three-bagger. 90 feet away, Sines flew out to right field, but was able to score Monahan for the sac fly for a 1-0 Eagles lead after the top of the third.
Like the way he started the game, Meis once again struck out St. Bonaventure in order, his second inning of sorts this game and third-straight 1-2-3 inning.
Extending its lead in the fourth, Easter put down a bunt for a single to lead off. Denton would send his first of two home runs over the fence in the next at-bat, giving EMU the 3-0 lead after the top half of the frame.
Meis would add one more perfect inning to his statline in the fifth, striking out St. Bonaventure in order for the third time on the afternoon, and registering his fourth three-up, three-down inning, tying his season-high. Additionally, entering the contest, the Eastern Michigan pitching staff had recorded two innings where it struck out its opponent in order, one of which was by Meis, and one in the first game of the afternoon by Chittum. Meis exceeded that total himself in his outing in game two.
Eastern's highest-scoring inning of the game came in the sixth, starting with a double to right field by Easter. After Denton drew the walk, Warkentin singled to center to plate the first of six runs for the Eagles. Oberg followed with his first RBI of game two, doubling down the left field line for the 6-0 EMU advantage. Continuing his impressive day of the plate, Monahan singled to score two runs, his fifth and sixth RBIs of the season.
Next to reach base was Jones, who notched his second hit of the day and first RBI with a single through the left side. Advancing to third on Jones' single after getting on with a hit of his own was Sines, who took advantage of a throwing error by the Bonnies to cross the plate and put the Eagles up, 9-0, after the top of the sixth.
Reaching double-digit scoring for the second time in as many games, it was once again the combo of Easter and Denton extending Eastern's lead. Easter managed to draw the walk, making way for Denton to launch his second home run of the contest, sending the ball over the wall in left field for the 11-0 Green and White lead.
Denton became the first Eagle to hit two home runs in the same game since teammate Hopkins did so in the 2020 season-opener at Austin Peay, Feb. 15.
St. Bonaventure was able to break the shutout in the bottom of the eighth, loading the bases with no outs. A single and fielder's choice would cut EMU's lead to 11-2, but senior Justin Reinkall (Superior, Wis.-Superior (Southeast)) minimized the damage to send the game to the final inning.
Not done yet, the Eagles would get a pair on base via a fielding error by the Bonnies and a hit by the pitch. Although a groundout, veteran ace Davis Feldman (Warren, Mich.-Brother Rice) traded his glove for a bat and hit a groundout to third base, but was able to advanced senior Nate Jones (Battle Creek, Mich.-Lakeview) and Denton into scoring position. Seizing one final opportunity, Monahan singled through the right side for his third hit and third and fourth RBIs of the game, earning back the two runs given up half an inning earlier to return the Green and White's lead to 11, 13-2.
Three outs away from the second win of the day, junior Zach Fruit (Dundee, Mich.-Dundee (Lansing)) needed just three batters to get them, putting the Bonnies down in order to seal the win, and sweep, 13-2.
Eastern Michigan returns to Oestrike Stadium to host the University of Toledo Tuesday, May 4, at 6 p.m.The wins marked the first time Eastern Michigan (12-19) has scored 12-or-more runs in back-to-back contests since scoring 12 in each game against Ohio, April 15-16, 2017.
Game One: Eastern Michigan 20, St. Bonaventure 5
Scoring right out of the gates, Eastern Michigan amassed 23 hits to score 20 runs and defeat St. Bonaventure in game one, 20-5.
The 20 runs and 23 hits mark the most for the Eagles since Feb. 19, 2013, when EMU defeated Purdue, 20-2, behind 24 hits.
The Eagles scored in each of the first four innings for the first time in 2021, also marking the longest consecutive scoring innings in a game for the Eagles this season. In addition, in the last meeting between the two sides, Feb. 24, 2017, the Green and White also scored in each of the first four innings en route to a 12-7 victory.
At the plate, three Eagles posted four-hit performances. Junior Taylor Hopkins (Mason, Ohio-Archbishop Moeller) went 4-for-4 in his five innings of play, adding two runs and two RBIs. Transfer Gabe Denton (Clare, Mich.-Clare (North Iowa)) recorded his second four-hit game of the season, while also leading the team with six RBIs. Finally, designated hitter Mike Monahan (Saline, Mich.-Saline) notched four hits, scoring four runs and driving in one in his time at the plate.
Overall, 11 different Eagles had a hit in the first game of the afternoon, with six recording multiple hits.
Senior Luke McGuire (Shelby Twp., Mich.-Stevenson), freshman Nick Chittum (Grosse Ile, Mich.-Grosse Ile), and sophomore Luke Russo (Howell, Mich.-Howell) were on the mound for the Eagles in the win. McGuire tossed 6.0 innings, allowing two runs while striking out four, and added three 1-2-3 innings. Chittum took over for 2.0 innings, striking out a career-high four while allowing no hits or runs. Russo closed out the game, throwing the final inning and striking out one.
Hopkins led off the game with a single to second, extending his reached base streak to 10 games and putting the first runner on for Eastern. Two batters later, Christian Bault (Maineville, Ohio-Archbishop Moeller-Lincoln Trail) was hit by a pitch to move Hopkins into scoring position, bringing up Denton, who singled to right field for his first of four hits and put the Eagles up, 1-0, after the first half-inning.
St. Bonaventure also led off with a hit in the first, earning a double, but McGuire settled in and retired the next three to keep the game moving.
Newcomer Will Oberg (Wayzata, Minn-Wayzata (Heartland)) added a pair of runs to the Eagles' lead in the second, launching his second home run of the season to right field, scoring Monahan, who got on with a two-out single in the prior at-bat. The home run not only put the Eagles up, 3-0, but marked Oberg's fifth multiple-RBI game of the season, which leads the Green and White.
McGuire rolled through the Bonnies in the bottom of the second, registering his first three-up, three-down inning of the contest to send the game to the third inning.
Going on the offense once again in the third, Eastern scored nine runs on eight hits, the most runs in a single inning since the 2016 when Eagles scored 12 in the seventh at Lipscomb in a 17-4 win, March 18.
Senior captain Nick Jones (Battle Creek, Mich.-Lakeview) found himself on base via an error by St. Bonaventure to lead off the inning. The Eagles then put together back-to-back singles from Bault and senior Shane Easter (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Comstock) to plate Jones for the first run of the inning.
Denton stepped up to the plate next, and drilled his fourth home run of the season to left field to add three runs to EMU's lead, 7-0. Though Denton's home run cleared the bases, junior Daniel Warkentin (Leamington, Ontario-Leamington District (Parkland)) put himself in scoring position with a triple, his first in the Green and White.
After the Bonnies recorded their first out of the frame, Monahan came to plate, delivering a single up the middle for the 8-0 EMU lead. Bringing up the ninth batter of the inning, Hopkins singled through the right side to score Monahan, who was on second after Oberg was hit by the pitch to put two on base.
Starting the second time through the order in the same inning, Jones drew a walk to load the bases. Sending his second single of the inning to left, Bault plated two for the 11-0 EMU advantage. Bringing Denton back up, the Clare, Mich. native tallied his second extra-base hit of the inning, launching a double to right field, allowing Jones to cross the plate for the second time in the third and give Eastern Michigan a 12-0 lead after the top half of the frame.
Unable to respond to the scoring, St. Bonaventure went down in order in the bottom of the third, the second 1-2-3 inning for McGuire in the contest.
Adding lucky number 13 to its run total on the afternoon, Hopkins notched his fourth hit of the day, knocking a two-out single to right field to score senior Jared Kauffman (Springboro, Ohio-Bishop Fenwick) in the top of the fourth.
St. Bonaventure would find its first run of the afternoon with its first of three home runs, with the first coming in the form of a solo shot to left field. Despite the hit, the Eagles held a 13-1 lead, and would hold it until the sixth inning.
Eastern opened the sixth frame with back-to-singles from freshman Evan Sines (Lancaster, Ohio-Lancaster) and Monahan, and load the bases when Oberg was hit by the pitch for the second time on the afternoon. Taking advantage of a wild pitch by SBU, advancing all three runners, with Sines scoring for the 14-1 lead.
Taking over for Hopkins in the sixth, sophomore Anthony Sharkas (Canton, Mich.-Plymouth) was not able to get on base himself, but did drive in his first run of the season with a groundout. Adding one final run in the sixth, Jones single to left for the 16-1 lead.
Finding one run in response, St. Bonaventure hit a second solo shot in the bottom of the sixth, though EMU still held a comfortable 16-2 lead.
The Eagles would be kept off the board in the seventh, returning to the field with Chittum taking the mound. The newcomer struck out all three St. Bonaventure batters he faced, marking just the second time this season an EMU pitcher has struck out the opposing side in order.
Putting together one more scoring effort in the top of the eighth, it was Monahan who led things off with a single to right center for his fourth hit of the game. He was followed by a single from Oberg and Sharkas being hit by the pitch to once again load the bases with no outs. Making his first appearance of the game, senior Drake Peggs (Knightstown, Ind.-Knightstown Community) doubled to left, his third extra-base hit of the season, allowing two more runs to score for the Green and White.
Sharkas was able to score on a wild pitch, while Peggs moved to third on the play, making way for Denton to notch his sixth RBI of the game with a single to left field and 20-2 Eastern Michigan lead.
The six RBIs for Denton are the most by an Eagle in 2021. Moreover, he was the only current member of the Green and White to have four-or-more RBIs in a game this season at the conclusion of the first game.
St. Bonaventure would finish the game with its third and final home run, a three-run shot to right center in the bottom of the ninth, finalizing the game with a score of 20-5 for Eastern Michigan.
Game Two: Eastern Michigan 13, St. Bonaventure 2
Eastern Michigan proved its high-scoring ability was not a one-time showing, registering another double-digit scoring effort to take down St. Bonaventure, 13-2, in the second game of the afternoon.
Junior Justin Meis (Pittsburgh, Pa.-Bethel Park) earned his first win of the season on the mound, throwing 6.0 scoreless innings, giving up just two hits and one walk, and striking out a career-high 11 batters. The 11 strikeouts are the most by an Eagle in a single game since Sam Delaplane, who struck out 12 in his complete game win over Ohio, April 14, 2017.
Denton and Monahan once again led the Eagles at the plate, each finishing with three hits and four RBIs. Monahan became the second current Eagle to record a game with four-or-more RBIs after his performance.
Unlike the offensive spark that started game one, it was the Eagles defense on display for the first two innings. Meis came out rolling, striking out the Bonnies in order in the first, the second time he has accomplished that feat in the 2021 season. While not striking out all three in the second, Meis and the Eagle defense continued to make quick work of their competition, once again sitting their opponent down in order.
Eastern was able to put on a run on the board first, after Monahan led off the third inning with a triple to center, his first-career three-bagger. 90 feet away, Sines flew out to right field, but was able to score Monahan for the sac fly for a 1-0 Eagles lead after the top of the third.
Like the way he started the game, Meis once again struck out St. Bonaventure in order, his second inning of sorts this game and third-straight 1-2-3 inning.
Extending its lead in the fourth, Easter put down a bunt for a single to lead off. Denton would send his first of two home runs over the fence in the next at-bat, giving EMU the 3-0 lead after the top half of the frame.
Meis would add one more perfect inning to his statline in the fifth, striking out St. Bonaventure in order for the third time on the afternoon, and registering his fourth three-up, three-down inning, tying his season-high. Additionally, entering the contest, the Eastern Michigan pitching staff had recorded two innings where it struck out its opponent in order, one of which was by Meis, and one in the first game of the afternoon by Chittum. Meis exceeded that total himself in his outing in game two.
Eastern's highest-scoring inning of the game came in the sixth, starting with a double to right field by Easter. After Denton drew the walk, Warkentin singled to center to plate the first of six runs for the Eagles. Oberg followed with his first RBI of game two, doubling down the left field line for the 6-0 EMU advantage. Continuing his impressive day of the plate, Monahan singled to score two runs, his fifth and sixth RBIs of the season.
Next to reach base was Jones, who notched his second hit of the day and first RBI with a single through the left side. Advancing to third on Jones' single after getting on with a hit of his own was Sines, who took advantage of a throwing error by the Bonnies to cross the plate and put the Eagles up, 9-0, after the top of the sixth.
Reaching double-digit scoring for the second time in as many games, it was once again the combo of Easter and Denton extending Eastern's lead. Easter managed to draw the walk, making way for Denton to launch his second home run of the contest, sending the ball over the wall in left field for the 11-0 Green and White lead.
Denton became the first Eagle to hit two home runs in the same game since teammate Hopkins did so in the 2020 season-opener at Austin Peay, Feb. 15.
St. Bonaventure was able to break the shutout in the bottom of the eighth, loading the bases with no outs. A single and fielder's choice would cut EMU's lead to 11-2, but senior Justin Reinkall (Superior, Wis.-Superior (Southeast)) minimized the damage to send the game to the final inning.
Not done yet, the Eagles would get a pair on base via a fielding error by the Bonnies and a hit by the pitch. Although a groundout, veteran ace Davis Feldman (Warren, Mich.-Brother Rice) traded his glove for a bat and hit a groundout to third base, but was able to advanced senior Nate Jones (Battle Creek, Mich.-Lakeview) and Denton into scoring position. Seizing one final opportunity, Monahan singled through the right side for his third hit and third and fourth RBIs of the game, earning back the two runs given up half an inning earlier to return the Green and White's lead to 11, 13-2.
Three outs away from the second win of the day, junior Zach Fruit (Dundee, Mich.-Dundee (Lansing)) needed just three batters to get them, putting the Bonnies down in order to seal the win, and sweep, 13-2.
To stay up to date with all things EMU baseball, continue to check EMUEagles.com, or follow the team on Twitter, @EMU_Baseball.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: McGuire, Luke (3-4)
L: Baez (1-6)
Batting:
2B: Peggs, Drake 1 ; Denton, Gabe 1
3B: Warkentin, Daniel 1
HR: Denton, Gabe 1 ; Oberg, Will 1
RBI: Hopkins, Taylor 2 ; Sharkas, Anthony 1 ; Jones, Nick 1 ; Peggs, Drake 2 ; Bault, Christian 2 ; Easter, Shane 1 ; Denton, Gabe 6 ; Monahan, Mike 1 ; Oberg, Will 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Hopkins, Taylor 2 ; Sharkas, Anthony 1 ; Jones, Nick 2 ; Peggs, Drake 1 ; Bault, Christian 1 ; Easter, Shane 1 ; Denton, Gabe 1 ; Warkentin, Daniel 1 ; Kauffman, Jared 1 ; Sines, Evan 1 ; Monahan, Mike 4 ; Oberg, Will 4
CS: Hopkins, Taylor 1
HBP: Sharkas, Anthony 1 ; Bault, Christian 1 ; Oberg, Will 2
Batting:
2B: Boldt 1
HR: Stillman 2 ; Kelder 1
RBI: Stillman 4 ; Kelder 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Boldt 1 ; Stillman 2 ; Kelder 1 ; Szablewski 1
HBP: Szablewski 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
2
H
4
RBI
2
lf/c
AB
6
R
1
H
4
RBI
6
AB
6
R
4
H
4
RBI
1
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
IF
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OF
/ BaseballC/IF
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball1B
/ Baseball
IF
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IF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP/IF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
IF
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