Eastern Michigan Athletics
2022 Baseball Season Recap
6/1/2022 2:31:00 PM | Baseball
EMU led the Mid-American Conference in HRs (81) in 2022 & set a program record for strikeouts in a season (416)
2022 Season Recap Notes (PDF)
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University baseball team concluded its season with a four-game, Mid-American Conference series against Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. The Eagles dropped the first three meetings, but came out on top in the season finale to end the year.
The following is the final note package for the 2022 season. Continue to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram, @EMU_Baseball, for updates throughout the offseason.
MAC'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR!: Junior Matt Kirk was awarded the 2022 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year award, May 24. Kirk joins Brian Bixler (2004) and Greg Ryan (1997) as the only players to collect the MAC's ultimate award while donning the script E.
In his first season in Ypsilanti, Kirk finished the 2022 regular season tied for first in the NCAA Division I ranks in total doubles (25). Additionally, Kirk had some of the best numbers in the Mid-American Conference this season. The Milford, Ohio native led the league in hits (80 - 37th nationally), doubles (25), home runs (17 - 44th nationally), and total bases (156 - 14th nationally).
Moreover, Kirk ranks top-10 in the MAC in slugging percentage (.693 - second in the MAC; 45th nationally), OPS (1.101 - second), RBIs (49 - seventh), and runs scored (50 - sixth). Furthermore, Kirk's 25 two-baggers this season tie the EMU single-season program record (Greg Ryan - 25, 1997). When it came to power at the plate, Kirk's 17 round-trippers in 2022 is tied for fourth all-time in EMU's single-season history.
A testament to his mastery at the plate, Kirk finished sixth in the league in batting average (.356) all while leading the MAC in at-bats (225). The BA mark of .356 is the best single-season batting average by an Eagle since 2014. Kirk's First Team All-MAC selection is the first of his career, along with his All-MAC Defensive Team honor. Kirk is just the second Eagle (Zachary Owings - 2018) to earn the All-MAC Defensive Team nod since the award was first given in 2015. The transfer from Toledo had just 21 combined hits and one home run in two seasons in the Glass City prior to joining the Green and White.
BEST OF THE BEST: In addition to his Mid-American Conference Player of the Year honor, junior Matt Kirk also earned a First Team All-MAC distinction and an All-MAC Defensive Team selection, May 24. Senior Daniel Warkentin tabbed his first career on-field postseason award after earning a Second Team All-MAC selection.
The Leamington, Ontario native had a career year, earning a batting average of .291 including 52 hits and 15 home runs for 41 RBIs and 106 total bases. Warkentin finished his senior campaign top-10 in the MAC in home runs (15 - second), slugging percentage (.592 - eighth), and runs scored (48 - 10th).
A season filled with highlights at the plate, one of the most notable moments for Warkentin came versus Bowling Green State University, May 1, when the second baseman belted a career-high three home runs in the team's 19-4 victory. Additionally, Warkentin concluded the season with three multi-home run games in the 2022 campaign. Moreover, the second baseman is the first Eagle to round the pillows three times in a game since 2017.
Warkentin also served up the team's lone walk-off win in 2022 when he notched an RBI single to defeat BGSU in the same weekend, April 29.
OVERALL: Eastern Michigan baseball finished the 2022 campaign with an overall record of 22-34, and 16-24 in conference play.
The team's 22 wins mark the most since the 2018 team's 22. In addition, EMU has now recorded 20-or-more wins in all but three full seasons since 1999. The Eagles did not reach 20 wins in 2008 (17), 2014 (19), and 2019 (11). The 2020 season is excluded as 20 games were not played.
RE-WRITING THE HISTORY BOOKS: EMU tallied a pair of program records this season, from its pitching staff and its offense, respectively.
With its 35 strikeouts of Golden Flashes hitters in its final series, Eastern Michigan's pitching staff officially set a school record for strikeouts in a season (416). The previous high, set in 2012, was 389.
At the plate, junior Matt Kirk amassed 25 doubles on the year. His 25 two-baggers tie EMU's single-season program record (Greg Ryan - 25, 1997). Furthermore, Kirk's 17 home runs in 2022 are tied for fourth all-time in EMU program history in a single season.
DROPPIN' TANKS: EMU hit five more home runs in its weekend series against Kent State, May 19-21. Eastern Michigan finished the 2022 campaign with 81 home runs in 56 games. That number equates to a 1.45 home runs per game average. Eastern has not had a season with a home runs per game average better than 1.0 since 2009, when the Eagles belted 100 total homers, a 1.67 per game average, its program-best.
The 81 round-trippers is also good for third in EMU program history in a single season. The Eastern Michigan team in 2009 launched 100 homers, a program record.
EMU led the MAC in total home runs. Moreover, the Eagles ranked 32nd in the nation in dingers and 42nd in home runs per game. Additionally, EMU finished 55th in Division I baseball in slugging percentage (.481).
Junior Matt Kirk (17) sits atop the league lead in homers while senior Daniel Warkentin finished second in the conference with 15 home runs this season. Seniors Brady Huebbe (11 - seventh) and Gabe Denton (10 - tenth) rounded out the top-10 in the MAC.
GOOD EYE!: The Eagles were disciplined at the plate in 2022 as the Green and White finished third in the Mid-American Conference in fewest strikeouts (382). Eastern finished the season with 275 walks (197 bases on balls and 78 HBP). The Eagles also led the MAC in home runs (81) and finished second in the conference in total bases (883).
100-HIT CLUB: Three different Eagles claimed the 100 career hit milestone in 2022 in seniors Shane Easter, Brady Huebbe, and Jared Kauffman. Easter and Kauffman recorded the feat solely at EMU, while Huebbe totaled 61 hits in his first season in Ypsilanti (51 hits at NIU (2020-21)).
HOPKINS ENDS THE YEAR HOT: Senior Taylor Hopkins finished the weekend series versus CMU 6-for-15 (.400) with a home run, an RBI, and two runs scored. Hopkins' home run on Sunday, May 15, marks the Mason, Ohio native's fifth consecutive game with a hit, a hitting streak that is the best current streak on the team. Hopkins raised his average nearly 40 points over the team's final 15 games to finish with a .262 clip and
played a nearly perfect shortstop, with a .947 fielding percentage, committing just one error in his final 10 games of the season.
DOLNEY HITS DINGERS: Sophomore Aaron Dolney finished second on the squad in batting average (.344) and slugging percentage (.597). Additionally, the utility man finished ranked inside the top-10 in the Mid-American Conference in batting average (10th), slugging percentage (seventh), and runners caught stealing (14 - third). Dolney's seven homers in 2022 was good for fifth on EMU's squad.
The Neraska transfer finished his final 10 games of the season with a team-high .469 (15-for-32) batting average, driving in seven runs on eight extra-base hits (3 doubles, 3 triples, and two home runs) for a total of 30 bases.
SIXTH FROM BEHIND: Down three runs in the seventh inning, Eastern tabbed three runs on two hits to tie with Northern Illinois, May 8. The game would head into extras where the Green and White tabbed three runs in the 10th inning to defeat the Huskies, 6-3. It is EMU's sixth come-from-behind victory this season (see page 8 for the full list).
RUSSO RACKING UP W's: Junior Luke Russo finished the 2022 season tied for the team lead with four wins on the year (4-0). The wins came on four consecutive appearances for the right-hander. It marks the first time in his career that he has notched four consecutive victories. In his last four appearances (two starts), Russo has amassed 25 strikeouts, allowing just four earned runs on nine hits in 18.0 innings of work.
Russo had a perfect 2-0 week for the Green and White as he helped the Eagles to a pair of wins and earned his first two collegiate victories. Against Miami, April 11, he etched his name in the record book, racking up 11 strikeouts in just 5.0 innings of work, including a stretch of nine consecutive K's. His 11 strikeouts tie for the second-most in a single game at EMU since 1999
Russo was incredible in his second start of the season for Eastern Michigan Sunday, April 17, as he propelled the Eagles to a series-finale victory over the visiting Ohio Bobcats.
Nearly untouchable, Russo put together a career-best 6.0 innings on the bump, using 77 pitches to hold Ohio to just two hits and one earned run. The junior has battled two season-ending surgeries during his time at EMU, and returned Sunday to toss a special performance for the Green and White. For his efforts, he was awarded MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week honors, April 19.
The right-hander went five shutout innings, giving up two hits, two walks, and striking out seven for his third win of the season over Bowling Green, May 1.
Russo's most recent win came in relief, allowing no earned runs on just one hit and two strikeouts in 2.0 IP out of the bullpen in a win over NIU, May 8.
WALK IT OFF: Down 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth, EMU's Daniel Warkentin came up big for the Green and White against BGSU, April 29, hitting a walk-off single to give Eastern the win. It was Eastern's first walk-off win of the season and the first time EMU has notched a walk-off hit since former Eagle Nick Jones tallied an RBI single to defeat Ball State, 2-1, April 17, 2021. Furthermore, it is Warkentin's first career walk-off hit.
Moreover, the game-winning base knock was the first time Eastern had won a game in walk-off fashion since Taylor Hopkins tabbed a two-run walk-off home run to defeat Kent State 5-4, May 28, 2021.
FALLING TO FALINSKI: Freshman hurler Adam Falinski wrapped up his rookie campaign atop the MAC. Falinski led all freshman in the conference in innings pitched (58.0), strikeouts (61), and complete games (4). Additionally, Falinski's four complete-game efforts ranks third nationally.
Through his 12 starts, Falinski recorded 11 K's in one outing twice, a mark which ties for the second-most by any Eastern Michigan player since 1999. The rookie also tied for the team lead with four wins on the year. Moreover, he helped EMU record a program-record 416 strikeouts in 2022, the first time the team has ever eclipsed the 400 mark. Falinski accounted for 15% of those strikeouts.
Falinski was given the MAC Co-Pitcher of the Week honor, Feb. 21. The selection was the first of his collegiate career.
DID YOU SAY EIGHT?!: EMU blasted eight home runs en route to its 19-4, series-finale victory over BGSU, May 1. The eight home runs are a season-high for the Eagles, surpassing the previous season-high of six at Morehead State, March 5. Additionally, it is the third time this season EMU has amassed five homers-or-more in a contest (6 at Morehead State, March 5 and 5 vs. Akron, March 25). Before the 2022 campaign, the Eagles did not hit five homers in a game since 2009 when Eastern launched six vs. Ohio, May 22.
Furthermore, the eight homers is the seventh-most by a team in a contest in the NCAA Division I this season. EMU is the fourth NCAA DI program to hit eight deep shots. Eastern's eight home runs is the second-highest mark in the program's history. EMU totaled nine homers versus Bowling Green, April 8, 2009.
TAKE A BOWWWWWWWWWWW: EMU took its series against Bowling Green, 3-1. EMU has now taken 11 consecutive series from Bowling Green, dating back to 2005.
19 RUNS OF FUN: Eastern put up 19 runs against Bowling Green, May 1. The 19 runs by the Eagles is a season-best. The last time EMU earned 19-or-more runs was May 1, 2021, when the Green and White amassed 20 at St. Bonaventure.
THE BIG 20: The Eagles notched a season-high 20 hits in their game, May 1. It is the most hits Eastern has recorded since the Eagles tallied 23 at St. Bonaventure, May 1, 2021.
TRIPLE THREAT: Senior Daniel Warkentin led the Eagles at the plate Sunday, May 1, going 3-for-5 with three home runs and three RBIs. His three round-trippers are a career-high for the second baseman. Additionally, it was Warkentin's third multi-home run game of the 2022 campaign.
Warkentin's three long shots are tied for third-most in the NCAA Division I ranks this season. Moreover, the second baseman is the first Eagle to round the pillows three times in a game since former Eagle Jordan Peterson did it at NIU, May 14, 2017.
KING OF COMERICA: With a pair of homers on Wednesday night, April 27, senior Taylor Hopkins is the only player this baseball season to earn a multi-homer game inside Comerica Park. Including all Detroit Tiger home games and the recent NCAA matchup between Michigan State and Notre Dame (April 26), no player has notched two dingers in a game in the stadium besides Hopkins.
The homers give Hopkins five on the year, and 17 in his collegiate career.
HISTORY AT COMERICA PARK: EMU earned its first victory in Comerica Park after deafting Alma 5-1, April 27. Eastern is now 1-1 at Comerica Park. The Eagles fell to Michigan State University, 3-2, May 11, 2016.
Comerica Park is not the only MLB ballpark the Eagles have won inside of. Eastern split a doubleheader against No. 25 Kansas, Feb. 22, 2010, inside the Metrodome in Minneapolis. The Eagles took the first game, 3-1, while Jayhawks prevailed in the final game, 9-5.
CHITTUM GETS HIS FIRST: Sophomore Nick Chittum earned his first career win while donning the Green and White. The right-hander pitched five shutout innings while giving up three hits, allowing three walks and striking out five.
Chittum's five K's is a career-high, surpassing his game against Ohio, April 17, when he fanned four batters, in his first collegiate win.
HISTORY AT OESTRIKE: Opening in 1971, Oestrike Stadium held its 51st season of baseball inside the park in 2022. EMU holds a 554-419-2 all-time record at the venue, and has compiled just 13 losing seasons at Oestrike since its opening.
The home of EMU baseball is named after legendary EMU baseball head coach Ron Oestrike, who led the Green and White from 1965-87, winning an NAIA national championship and four Mid-American Conference titles during his tenure leading the Green and White.
HISTORIC PERFORMANCES ON THE BUMP: Senior Zach Fruit (vs. Ohio, April 16), junior Luke Russo (at Miami, April 11) and freshman Adam Falinski (at Miami, April 10) each totaled 11 strikeouts in their respective outings.
The 11 K's marks a career-high for all three hurlers. Additionally, the 11 punch outs by the trio is tied for second in EMU's modern statistical history (1999-Pres.) for strikeouts in an outing, tying with former Eagle Ryan Lavoie (11; at WMU, April 8, 2012). Sam Delaplane holds the top spot with 12 strikeouts versus Ohio, April 14, 2017.
Fruit also made a notable occurrence in his start Saturday, April 16, versus Ohio when he struck out 10 batters in the first three innings of his start.
TWO HITS, THAT'S IT: The Eagles' pitching staff allowed just two hits in the shutout victory over Butler, March 20. The two-hit shutout marks the second time this season Eastern has blanked its opposition. Junior Frankie Volkers struck out five Bulldogs hitters and senior Thomas House fanned five for the Eagles. Additionally, the win is House's first of the season and his first victory since the 2019 season (missed last season due to injury). Furthermore, the save is Volkers' first of his collegiate career.
THIS YEAR'S ROSTER BREAKDOWN: EMU features a mix of upperclassmen and fresh faces this season. Of the 38 roster spots for the Eagles, 10 are occupied by freshmen, seven are sophomores, 10 are juniors, and 11 are seniors.
RETURNING ALL-MAC SELECTION: EMU is set to return senior Taylor Hopkins to the roster this season, the lone First Team All-MAC selection back from last year's lineup. Hopkins' selection made him the first Eagle to appear on the league's first team since Zachary Owings in 2018.
PERFECT GAME PICKS TAYLOR: Perfect Game, a leading baseball-focused publication, released its 2022 Preseason All-MAC team Feb. 3. EMU senior shortstop Taylor Hopkins made the list in one of two "middle infielder" positions on the poll.
KENDALL'S TOP PROSPECTS: Kendall Rogers, Co-Managing Editor for the highly-touted baseball publication, DIBaseball, announced his top Mid-American Conference draft prospects for the 2022 season Feb. 10. Two Eagles cracked the list, as junior Cameron Wagoner and senior Zach Fruit are named as the number three and five top draft-eligible prospects in the league, respectively, by Rogers.
HOPKINS THE IRONMAN: Eastern Michigan shortstop Taylor Hopkins was the only Eagle to play in, and start, all 51 games in the Green and White in 2021. Over his 51 games, the Mason, Ohio native recorded a .306 batting average, team-leading 56 hits, eight home runs, 20 RBIs, and a .486 slugging percentage.
WELCOME HOME, HILT: Eastern Michigan welcomed a new pitching coach during the offseason, as Aaron Hilt assumed the position. A former standout college baseball player at NCAA Division II Ashland University, Hilt spent nearly a decade climbing the coaching ranks and adding responsibilities with Ashland. After returning to his alma mater in 2014, he was promoted to Associate Head Coach in 2018.
The Eagles reached the NCAA Division II postseason four times in Hilt's seven seasons, and made a run to the College World Series in 2019. Hilt has been part of two College World Series teams, also reaching the final stage as a player in 2008. Ashland posted a 230-149 (.607) record during Hilt's run with AU.
The 2019 season was a record-setting year for Ashland's hurlers. Eagle pitchers combined for a program-record-tying 48 wins, and set a program and GLIAC standard for team strikeouts in a season with 537. Hilt was directly responsible for the mentorship of numerous award-winning and now-professional pitchers while at Ashland. A pair of his players, Art Warren and Brandyn Sittinger, were selected in the MLB Draft in 2015 and 2016, respectively. A 2015 All-GLIAC selection, Warren is with the Seattle Mariners. Sittinger, a former GLIAC Pitcher of the Year, Midwest Region Pitcher of the Year, and First Team All-American while at Ashland, plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
MAC PRESEASON POLL: Eastern was selected to finish eighth overall in the Mid-American Conference preseason poll, as announced by the league office, Feb. 15.
MAC Baseball Preseason Poll
1. Central Michigan — 115 points (6 first place votes)
2. Ball State — 103 points (1)
3. Kent State — 102 points (2)
4. Western Michigan - 75 points
5. Toledo — 73 points (1)
6. Miami — 68 points (1)
7. Ohio — 58 points
8. Eastern Michigan - 45 points
9. Bowling Green — 40 points
10. Northern Illinois — 36 points
11. Akron — 11 points
Tournament Champions: Central Michigan (4), Kent State (3), Ball State (2), Miami (1), Toledo (1)
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University baseball team concluded its season with a four-game, Mid-American Conference series against Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. The Eagles dropped the first three meetings, but came out on top in the season finale to end the year.
The following is the final note package for the 2022 season. Continue to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram, @EMU_Baseball, for updates throughout the offseason.
MAC'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR!: Junior Matt Kirk was awarded the 2022 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year award, May 24. Kirk joins Brian Bixler (2004) and Greg Ryan (1997) as the only players to collect the MAC's ultimate award while donning the script E.
In his first season in Ypsilanti, Kirk finished the 2022 regular season tied for first in the NCAA Division I ranks in total doubles (25). Additionally, Kirk had some of the best numbers in the Mid-American Conference this season. The Milford, Ohio native led the league in hits (80 - 37th nationally), doubles (25), home runs (17 - 44th nationally), and total bases (156 - 14th nationally).
Moreover, Kirk ranks top-10 in the MAC in slugging percentage (.693 - second in the MAC; 45th nationally), OPS (1.101 - second), RBIs (49 - seventh), and runs scored (50 - sixth). Furthermore, Kirk's 25 two-baggers this season tie the EMU single-season program record (Greg Ryan - 25, 1997). When it came to power at the plate, Kirk's 17 round-trippers in 2022 is tied for fourth all-time in EMU's single-season history.
A testament to his mastery at the plate, Kirk finished sixth in the league in batting average (.356) all while leading the MAC in at-bats (225). The BA mark of .356 is the best single-season batting average by an Eagle since 2014. Kirk's First Team All-MAC selection is the first of his career, along with his All-MAC Defensive Team honor. Kirk is just the second Eagle (Zachary Owings - 2018) to earn the All-MAC Defensive Team nod since the award was first given in 2015. The transfer from Toledo had just 21 combined hits and one home run in two seasons in the Glass City prior to joining the Green and White.
BEST OF THE BEST: In addition to his Mid-American Conference Player of the Year honor, junior Matt Kirk also earned a First Team All-MAC distinction and an All-MAC Defensive Team selection, May 24. Senior Daniel Warkentin tabbed his first career on-field postseason award after earning a Second Team All-MAC selection.
The Leamington, Ontario native had a career year, earning a batting average of .291 including 52 hits and 15 home runs for 41 RBIs and 106 total bases. Warkentin finished his senior campaign top-10 in the MAC in home runs (15 - second), slugging percentage (.592 - eighth), and runs scored (48 - 10th).
A season filled with highlights at the plate, one of the most notable moments for Warkentin came versus Bowling Green State University, May 1, when the second baseman belted a career-high three home runs in the team's 19-4 victory. Additionally, Warkentin concluded the season with three multi-home run games in the 2022 campaign. Moreover, the second baseman is the first Eagle to round the pillows three times in a game since 2017.
Warkentin also served up the team's lone walk-off win in 2022 when he notched an RBI single to defeat BGSU in the same weekend, April 29.
OVERALL: Eastern Michigan baseball finished the 2022 campaign with an overall record of 22-34, and 16-24 in conference play.
The team's 22 wins mark the most since the 2018 team's 22. In addition, EMU has now recorded 20-or-more wins in all but three full seasons since 1999. The Eagles did not reach 20 wins in 2008 (17), 2014 (19), and 2019 (11). The 2020 season is excluded as 20 games were not played.
RE-WRITING THE HISTORY BOOKS: EMU tallied a pair of program records this season, from its pitching staff and its offense, respectively.
With its 35 strikeouts of Golden Flashes hitters in its final series, Eastern Michigan's pitching staff officially set a school record for strikeouts in a season (416). The previous high, set in 2012, was 389.
At the plate, junior Matt Kirk amassed 25 doubles on the year. His 25 two-baggers tie EMU's single-season program record (Greg Ryan - 25, 1997). Furthermore, Kirk's 17 home runs in 2022 are tied for fourth all-time in EMU program history in a single season.
DROPPIN' TANKS: EMU hit five more home runs in its weekend series against Kent State, May 19-21. Eastern Michigan finished the 2022 campaign with 81 home runs in 56 games. That number equates to a 1.45 home runs per game average. Eastern has not had a season with a home runs per game average better than 1.0 since 2009, when the Eagles belted 100 total homers, a 1.67 per game average, its program-best.
The 81 round-trippers is also good for third in EMU program history in a single season. The Eastern Michigan team in 2009 launched 100 homers, a program record.
EMU led the MAC in total home runs. Moreover, the Eagles ranked 32nd in the nation in dingers and 42nd in home runs per game. Additionally, EMU finished 55th in Division I baseball in slugging percentage (.481).
Junior Matt Kirk (17) sits atop the league lead in homers while senior Daniel Warkentin finished second in the conference with 15 home runs this season. Seniors Brady Huebbe (11 - seventh) and Gabe Denton (10 - tenth) rounded out the top-10 in the MAC.
GOOD EYE!: The Eagles were disciplined at the plate in 2022 as the Green and White finished third in the Mid-American Conference in fewest strikeouts (382). Eastern finished the season with 275 walks (197 bases on balls and 78 HBP). The Eagles also led the MAC in home runs (81) and finished second in the conference in total bases (883).
100-HIT CLUB: Three different Eagles claimed the 100 career hit milestone in 2022 in seniors Shane Easter, Brady Huebbe, and Jared Kauffman. Easter and Kauffman recorded the feat solely at EMU, while Huebbe totaled 61 hits in his first season in Ypsilanti (51 hits at NIU (2020-21)).
HOPKINS ENDS THE YEAR HOT: Senior Taylor Hopkins finished the weekend series versus CMU 6-for-15 (.400) with a home run, an RBI, and two runs scored. Hopkins' home run on Sunday, May 15, marks the Mason, Ohio native's fifth consecutive game with a hit, a hitting streak that is the best current streak on the team. Hopkins raised his average nearly 40 points over the team's final 15 games to finish with a .262 clip and
played a nearly perfect shortstop, with a .947 fielding percentage, committing just one error in his final 10 games of the season.
DOLNEY HITS DINGERS: Sophomore Aaron Dolney finished second on the squad in batting average (.344) and slugging percentage (.597). Additionally, the utility man finished ranked inside the top-10 in the Mid-American Conference in batting average (10th), slugging percentage (seventh), and runners caught stealing (14 - third). Dolney's seven homers in 2022 was good for fifth on EMU's squad.
The Neraska transfer finished his final 10 games of the season with a team-high .469 (15-for-32) batting average, driving in seven runs on eight extra-base hits (3 doubles, 3 triples, and two home runs) for a total of 30 bases.
SIXTH FROM BEHIND: Down three runs in the seventh inning, Eastern tabbed three runs on two hits to tie with Northern Illinois, May 8. The game would head into extras where the Green and White tabbed three runs in the 10th inning to defeat the Huskies, 6-3. It is EMU's sixth come-from-behind victory this season (see page 8 for the full list).
RUSSO RACKING UP W's: Junior Luke Russo finished the 2022 season tied for the team lead with four wins on the year (4-0). The wins came on four consecutive appearances for the right-hander. It marks the first time in his career that he has notched four consecutive victories. In his last four appearances (two starts), Russo has amassed 25 strikeouts, allowing just four earned runs on nine hits in 18.0 innings of work.
Russo had a perfect 2-0 week for the Green and White as he helped the Eagles to a pair of wins and earned his first two collegiate victories. Against Miami, April 11, he etched his name in the record book, racking up 11 strikeouts in just 5.0 innings of work, including a stretch of nine consecutive K's. His 11 strikeouts tie for the second-most in a single game at EMU since 1999
Russo was incredible in his second start of the season for Eastern Michigan Sunday, April 17, as he propelled the Eagles to a series-finale victory over the visiting Ohio Bobcats.
Nearly untouchable, Russo put together a career-best 6.0 innings on the bump, using 77 pitches to hold Ohio to just two hits and one earned run. The junior has battled two season-ending surgeries during his time at EMU, and returned Sunday to toss a special performance for the Green and White. For his efforts, he was awarded MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week honors, April 19.
The right-hander went five shutout innings, giving up two hits, two walks, and striking out seven for his third win of the season over Bowling Green, May 1.
Russo's most recent win came in relief, allowing no earned runs on just one hit and two strikeouts in 2.0 IP out of the bullpen in a win over NIU, May 8.
WALK IT OFF: Down 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth, EMU's Daniel Warkentin came up big for the Green and White against BGSU, April 29, hitting a walk-off single to give Eastern the win. It was Eastern's first walk-off win of the season and the first time EMU has notched a walk-off hit since former Eagle Nick Jones tallied an RBI single to defeat Ball State, 2-1, April 17, 2021. Furthermore, it is Warkentin's first career walk-off hit.
Moreover, the game-winning base knock was the first time Eastern had won a game in walk-off fashion since Taylor Hopkins tabbed a two-run walk-off home run to defeat Kent State 5-4, May 28, 2021.
FALLING TO FALINSKI: Freshman hurler Adam Falinski wrapped up his rookie campaign atop the MAC. Falinski led all freshman in the conference in innings pitched (58.0), strikeouts (61), and complete games (4). Additionally, Falinski's four complete-game efforts ranks third nationally.
Through his 12 starts, Falinski recorded 11 K's in one outing twice, a mark which ties for the second-most by any Eastern Michigan player since 1999. The rookie also tied for the team lead with four wins on the year. Moreover, he helped EMU record a program-record 416 strikeouts in 2022, the first time the team has ever eclipsed the 400 mark. Falinski accounted for 15% of those strikeouts.
Falinski was given the MAC Co-Pitcher of the Week honor, Feb. 21. The selection was the first of his collegiate career.
DID YOU SAY EIGHT?!: EMU blasted eight home runs en route to its 19-4, series-finale victory over BGSU, May 1. The eight home runs are a season-high for the Eagles, surpassing the previous season-high of six at Morehead State, March 5. Additionally, it is the third time this season EMU has amassed five homers-or-more in a contest (6 at Morehead State, March 5 and 5 vs. Akron, March 25). Before the 2022 campaign, the Eagles did not hit five homers in a game since 2009 when Eastern launched six vs. Ohio, May 22.
Furthermore, the eight homers is the seventh-most by a team in a contest in the NCAA Division I this season. EMU is the fourth NCAA DI program to hit eight deep shots. Eastern's eight home runs is the second-highest mark in the program's history. EMU totaled nine homers versus Bowling Green, April 8, 2009.
TAKE A BOWWWWWWWWWWW: EMU took its series against Bowling Green, 3-1. EMU has now taken 11 consecutive series from Bowling Green, dating back to 2005.
19 RUNS OF FUN: Eastern put up 19 runs against Bowling Green, May 1. The 19 runs by the Eagles is a season-best. The last time EMU earned 19-or-more runs was May 1, 2021, when the Green and White amassed 20 at St. Bonaventure.
THE BIG 20: The Eagles notched a season-high 20 hits in their game, May 1. It is the most hits Eastern has recorded since the Eagles tallied 23 at St. Bonaventure, May 1, 2021.
TRIPLE THREAT: Senior Daniel Warkentin led the Eagles at the plate Sunday, May 1, going 3-for-5 with three home runs and three RBIs. His three round-trippers are a career-high for the second baseman. Additionally, it was Warkentin's third multi-home run game of the 2022 campaign.
Warkentin's three long shots are tied for third-most in the NCAA Division I ranks this season. Moreover, the second baseman is the first Eagle to round the pillows three times in a game since former Eagle Jordan Peterson did it at NIU, May 14, 2017.
KING OF COMERICA: With a pair of homers on Wednesday night, April 27, senior Taylor Hopkins is the only player this baseball season to earn a multi-homer game inside Comerica Park. Including all Detroit Tiger home games and the recent NCAA matchup between Michigan State and Notre Dame (April 26), no player has notched two dingers in a game in the stadium besides Hopkins.
The homers give Hopkins five on the year, and 17 in his collegiate career.
HISTORY AT COMERICA PARK: EMU earned its first victory in Comerica Park after deafting Alma 5-1, April 27. Eastern is now 1-1 at Comerica Park. The Eagles fell to Michigan State University, 3-2, May 11, 2016.
Comerica Park is not the only MLB ballpark the Eagles have won inside of. Eastern split a doubleheader against No. 25 Kansas, Feb. 22, 2010, inside the Metrodome in Minneapolis. The Eagles took the first game, 3-1, while Jayhawks prevailed in the final game, 9-5.
CHITTUM GETS HIS FIRST: Sophomore Nick Chittum earned his first career win while donning the Green and White. The right-hander pitched five shutout innings while giving up three hits, allowing three walks and striking out five.
Chittum's five K's is a career-high, surpassing his game against Ohio, April 17, when he fanned four batters, in his first collegiate win.
HISTORY AT OESTRIKE: Opening in 1971, Oestrike Stadium held its 51st season of baseball inside the park in 2022. EMU holds a 554-419-2 all-time record at the venue, and has compiled just 13 losing seasons at Oestrike since its opening.
The home of EMU baseball is named after legendary EMU baseball head coach Ron Oestrike, who led the Green and White from 1965-87, winning an NAIA national championship and four Mid-American Conference titles during his tenure leading the Green and White.
HISTORIC PERFORMANCES ON THE BUMP: Senior Zach Fruit (vs. Ohio, April 16), junior Luke Russo (at Miami, April 11) and freshman Adam Falinski (at Miami, April 10) each totaled 11 strikeouts in their respective outings.
The 11 K's marks a career-high for all three hurlers. Additionally, the 11 punch outs by the trio is tied for second in EMU's modern statistical history (1999-Pres.) for strikeouts in an outing, tying with former Eagle Ryan Lavoie (11; at WMU, April 8, 2012). Sam Delaplane holds the top spot with 12 strikeouts versus Ohio, April 14, 2017.
Fruit also made a notable occurrence in his start Saturday, April 16, versus Ohio when he struck out 10 batters in the first three innings of his start.
TWO HITS, THAT'S IT: The Eagles' pitching staff allowed just two hits in the shutout victory over Butler, March 20. The two-hit shutout marks the second time this season Eastern has blanked its opposition. Junior Frankie Volkers struck out five Bulldogs hitters and senior Thomas House fanned five for the Eagles. Additionally, the win is House's first of the season and his first victory since the 2019 season (missed last season due to injury). Furthermore, the save is Volkers' first of his collegiate career.
THIS YEAR'S ROSTER BREAKDOWN: EMU features a mix of upperclassmen and fresh faces this season. Of the 38 roster spots for the Eagles, 10 are occupied by freshmen, seven are sophomores, 10 are juniors, and 11 are seniors.
RETURNING ALL-MAC SELECTION: EMU is set to return senior Taylor Hopkins to the roster this season, the lone First Team All-MAC selection back from last year's lineup. Hopkins' selection made him the first Eagle to appear on the league's first team since Zachary Owings in 2018.
PERFECT GAME PICKS TAYLOR: Perfect Game, a leading baseball-focused publication, released its 2022 Preseason All-MAC team Feb. 3. EMU senior shortstop Taylor Hopkins made the list in one of two "middle infielder" positions on the poll.
KENDALL'S TOP PROSPECTS: Kendall Rogers, Co-Managing Editor for the highly-touted baseball publication, DIBaseball, announced his top Mid-American Conference draft prospects for the 2022 season Feb. 10. Two Eagles cracked the list, as junior Cameron Wagoner and senior Zach Fruit are named as the number three and five top draft-eligible prospects in the league, respectively, by Rogers.
HOPKINS THE IRONMAN: Eastern Michigan shortstop Taylor Hopkins was the only Eagle to play in, and start, all 51 games in the Green and White in 2021. Over his 51 games, the Mason, Ohio native recorded a .306 batting average, team-leading 56 hits, eight home runs, 20 RBIs, and a .486 slugging percentage.
WELCOME HOME, HILT: Eastern Michigan welcomed a new pitching coach during the offseason, as Aaron Hilt assumed the position. A former standout college baseball player at NCAA Division II Ashland University, Hilt spent nearly a decade climbing the coaching ranks and adding responsibilities with Ashland. After returning to his alma mater in 2014, he was promoted to Associate Head Coach in 2018.
The Eagles reached the NCAA Division II postseason four times in Hilt's seven seasons, and made a run to the College World Series in 2019. Hilt has been part of two College World Series teams, also reaching the final stage as a player in 2008. Ashland posted a 230-149 (.607) record during Hilt's run with AU.
The 2019 season was a record-setting year for Ashland's hurlers. Eagle pitchers combined for a program-record-tying 48 wins, and set a program and GLIAC standard for team strikeouts in a season with 537. Hilt was directly responsible for the mentorship of numerous award-winning and now-professional pitchers while at Ashland. A pair of his players, Art Warren and Brandyn Sittinger, were selected in the MLB Draft in 2015 and 2016, respectively. A 2015 All-GLIAC selection, Warren is with the Seattle Mariners. Sittinger, a former GLIAC Pitcher of the Year, Midwest Region Pitcher of the Year, and First Team All-American while at Ashland, plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
MAC PRESEASON POLL: Eastern was selected to finish eighth overall in the Mid-American Conference preseason poll, as announced by the league office, Feb. 15.
MAC Baseball Preseason Poll
1. Central Michigan — 115 points (6 first place votes)
2. Ball State — 103 points (1)
3. Kent State — 102 points (2)
4. Western Michigan - 75 points
5. Toledo — 73 points (1)
6. Miami — 68 points (1)
7. Ohio — 58 points
8. Eastern Michigan - 45 points
9. Bowling Green — 40 points
10. Northern Illinois — 36 points
11. Akron — 11 points
Tournament Champions: Central Michigan (4), Kent State (3), Ball State (2), Miami (1), Toledo (1)
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