Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
14-19, 0
Ohio
16-16, 0
Baseball Prevails in Sunday Series Finale
4/17/2022 3:26:00 PM | Baseball
Shane Easter earns his 100th career hit in the victory
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University baseball team finished its four-game weekend series on a high note, defeating Ohio University 3-1 on Easter Sunday, April 17, at Oestrike Stadium.
Junior Luke Russo (Howell, Mich.-Howell) (2-0) got the win for Eastern (14-19, 10-10 MAC). The right-hander went six innings, giving up one run on two hits, allowing four walks, and striking out five. Sophomore Nick Chittum (Grosse Ile, Mich.-Grosse Ile) also pitched well, going three shutout innings without allowing a hit, walking three, and striking out four.
In the batter's box, the Eagles were paced by junior Gabe Denton (Clare, Mich.-Clare (North Iowa)), who went 2-for-4 on the day with a home run and two RBIs. Junior Matt Kirk (Milford, Ohio.-Milford (Toledo)) put together a standout performance at the plate as well, going 3-for-4 with two doubles. Senior Brady Huebbe (Peru, Ill.-La Salle-Peru (Northern Illinois)) also chipped in for Eastern Michigan, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding a walk and an RBI.
How It Happened
The Eagles got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the bottom of the first inning with the game still scoreless. Senior Daniel Warkentin (Leamington, Ontario-Leamington District (Parkland)) came across to score the lone run of the inning for Eastern Michigan and get them on the board.
After the Bobcats rallied to tie the ballgame at one, the Eagles came back to retake the lead in the sixth inning. Eastern Michigan scored twice on Denton's two-run homer, which brought the score to 3-1 in favor of the Eagles. The score remained 3-1 for the rest of the game, as Eastern Michigan held on for the win.
Game Notes
» Russo put together six strong innings, a career-best, of one-run, two-hit, ball for the Eagles, striking out five Bobcat hitters. The victory is his second straight win, the first time Russo has accomplished that feat in his collegiate career. Moreover, the 6.0 IP is a career-best for the right-hander.
» Chittum notched the save for EMU, earning four strikeouts in three innings of no-hit ball. The save is Chittum's first of his collegiate career. Additionally, it is the third time this season Chittum has not allowed a run to pass in an outing this season.
» Kirk compiled three hits in the game for Eastern Michigan. With the performance, Kirk now rides a four-game hitting streak. The outfielder finished the series with multiple hits in every contest (10-for-15).
» The Eagles' power output was led by Denton, who tabbed a two-run homer in the sixth inning. The round-tripper was Denton's 10th this season, tied for the team lead (Kirk 10, Warkentin 10). Additionally, only five student-athletes in the Mid-American Conference have totaled double-digit homers thus far, three of which reside on Eastern's roster.
» It is the seventh time this season Denton has tallied multiple RBIs in a contest.
» Huebbe finished 1-for-2 with an RBI and a walk in the win. The base knock gives the outfielder a seven-game hitting streak, currently the best streak on the team.
» Senior Shane Easter (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Comstock) finished with a hit Sunday. He now has 34 hits on the season for Eastern Michigan, which is the third-highest mark on the team. Additionally, Easter rides a five-game hitting streak dating back to April 11 versus Miami.
» The Eagles out-hit the Bobcats at an 11-2 clip. It is the 14th time this season Eastern has amassed 10-plus hits in a contest. The Eagles are 9-5 in games they tally 10-or-more hits.
» Eastern Michigan pitchers faced 37 Ohio hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out nine. Ohio went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position thanks to EMU's pitching staff on Sunday.
Historical Notes
» Easter's base knock was the infielder's 100th of his career donning the Green and White.
Up Next
Eastern Michigan will stay at home for a midweek game against Siena Heights Tuesday, April 19. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. at Oestrike Stadium.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Russo, Luke (2-0)
L: Roder, Brendan (2-2)
S: Chittum, Nick (1)
Batting:
2B: Harbert, Spencer 1
RBI: Finney, Alex 1
SH: Dolan, Nick 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kasperbauer, Colin 1
CS: Baker, Cael 1
HBP: Harbert, Spencer 1 ; Baker, Cael 1
Batting:
2B: Kirk, Matt 2
HR: Denton, Gabe 1
RBI: Huebbe, Brady 1 ; Denton, Gabe 2
SH: Hopkins, Taylor 1
SF: Huebbe, Brady 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Warkentin, Daniel 1 ; Dolney, Aaron 1 ; Denton, Gabe 1
SB: Kirk, Matt 1
