Eastern Michigan Athletics
Tuesday, March 21
Indianapolis, Ind.
4 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
Butler
Baseball Heads to Indianapolis for a Single Midweek Game Against Butler
3/20/2023 3:15:00 PM | Baseball
The Eagles take a break from Mid-American Conference Play
| Baseball at Butler | |
| Date | Tuesday, March 21 | 4 p.m. |
| Venue | Bulldog Park | Indianapolis, Ind. |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes (PDF) | Media Guide (PDF) |
| Live Stats | Live Stats |
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University baseball team will step away from Mid-American Conference play for a single game at Butler University Tuesday, March 21. First pitch between the Eagles and Bulldogs is set for 4 p.m. from Bulldog Park in Indianapolis.
Eastern Michigan (10-6, 4-2 MAC) enters the midweek game on a two game win streak following its series win over in-state rival Western Michigan University, March 18-19. Meanwhile, Butler (2-15, 0-0 Big East) enters the matchup in search of its first win since Feb. 18, a 16-7 decision over Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Tuesday's game can be followed via StatBroadcast or on social media. For live updates, follow @EMU_Baseball on Twitter.
EIGHT FOR ERIC: Eastern Michigan has eight wins so far this March, the most in the month for Head Coach Eric Roof, in his fifth season at the helm of the program (2018-Pres.). Prior to 2023, Roof's best month-of-March total was seven, which came in 2022. EMU has not had eight wins in March since the 2013 season, when the team recorded 11 wins en route to a 26-28 season.
ANOTHER ONE: Eastern Michigan took 2-of-3 games from Western Michigan in its series with the Broncos. With its result, EMU has now claimed back to back series wins (2-of-3 at Akron, March 10-12; 2-of-3 at WMU, March 18-19). It is the first time EMU has won consecutive series since the 2021 campaign, when it swept St. Bonaventure University in a doubleheader, May 1, before sweeping Bowling Green State University in a four-game set, May 7-8.
BACK TO BACK IN THE MAC: Eastern Michigan has picked up two straight conference series victories. The accomplishment is the first of the sort for the program since it took respective series' against Bowling Green, March 30-April 1, 2018 and Ball State University, April 6-8, 2018.
TAKE (THE FIRST) TWO: EMU has opened its 2023 MAC slate with consecutive series wins. Prior to 2023, Eastern Michigan has not accomplished that feat since the 2017 campaign, when it took 2-of-3 games from both BGSU, March 24-25, and Miami University, April 7-9, respectively.
FUN RUN: Eastern Michigan is one of the most aggressive base running teams in the nation, ranking 37th nationally and second in the Mid-American Conference with 34 stolen bases this season. Last season, EMU was 157th in the country with just 52 stolen bags for the season, a 0.96 steals per game average. This year, the Green and White average 2.12 swipes per game, nearly double its 2022 number. Last season, it took EMU 40 games to record its 34th stolen base, compared to just 16 this season.
SURE HANDED: Eastern Michigan ranks second in the MAC and 34th nationally in fielding percentage (0.979). Eastern went three consecutive games without an error at Evansville, Feb. 24-26, its first such stretch since April 17-20, 2022, in games against Ohio, Siena Heights, and Michigan State.
OBSCURE, YET PAINFUL: Eastern Michigan has earned 33 free bags via hit by pitch this season, the highest total of any Mid-American Conference team. EMU has been hit an average of 2.1 times per game this season, up from 1.44 HBP per contest a season ago. The current number is the 47th highest in of NCAA Division I baseball.
PICK YOUR POISON: The Green and White have displayed the ability to score in bunches in a single inning this season. EMU has scored four runs or more in a single inning 12 times this season. Eastern's best single inning of the season came in its series against Western Michigan, where it pushed across seven runs in the third inning of the series finale, March 19.
SEVEN UP: Eastern Michigan scored a single-inning season-high seven runs in the third inning of its series-closing inning with Western Michigan, March 19. The seven runs were the most by EMU in a single frame since May 1, 2022, when the Green and White tallied eight in the fifth inning against Bowling Green en route to a 19-4 rout of the Falcons.
DOUBLE TROUBLE: Eastern Michigan has had no problem finding second base this year. The Green and White average 2.25 doubles per contest in 2023, which ranks 44th in the nation. Eastern averaged 1.8 doubles per game a season ago.
STRONG START TO CONFERENCE PLAY: Eastern Michigan is off to a 4-2 start in conference play. It marks the first time EMU has recorded four wins in their first six games of MAC play since the 2017 campaign, when the team also recorded four wins during that same stretch.
COMEBACK KIDS: EMU has come back to win four games when trailing by four or more runs this season. The most recent came against WMU, March 18, when the Eagles erased a five-run deficit to secure a 12-11 victory. Last season, EMU did not come back from any such deficits, and only came back from any deficit (one run or more) to win in six total games.
SEASON-HIGH IN HOMERS: The Eastern Michigan offense tabbed four home runs in its 12-11 win over WMU, March 18. This marks the most homers in a single game since the Eagles rocketed eight over the wall in a 19-4 domination of Bowling Green, May 1, 2022.
RUNS, RUNS, RUNS: The Eagles set a season high in RBIs with 13 against Western Michigan, March 19. This marks the most RBIs in a single game for the Eagles since they drove in 19 in a 19-4 win over Bowling Green, May 1, 2022.
SEASON-HIGHS: Eastern Michigan tallied a season-high-tying 16 hits in its series finale at WMU, March 19. The 16 hits led to a season-best 14 runs, including a season-best 13 RBIs. Prior to Sunday, EMU had not scored 14 runs in a game since May 21, 2022, when it defeated Kent State, 15-8.
GOOD EYE: EMU hitters struck out just three times in its series finale at Western Michigan, March 19. The three strikeouts are the fewest for Eastern Michigan since it recorded the same number in back-to-back games at Towson, March 4-5.
BETTER LUX NEXT TIME: Senior Ryan Lux had the at-bat of a lifetime in the ninth inning against WMU, March 18. With EMU down, 11-9, Rux drilled a go-ahead and game-winning three-run shot. The home run was the first of Lux's career, and gave him a career-high three RBIs. It was Lux's first RBI since April 23, 2022, at Toledo.
TEN RUN FUN: EMU has scored 10 or more runs 30 times under Eric Roof (2018-Pres.). The Eagles have emerged victorious in 25 of those games. Additionally, 12 of those performances (40%) have come in the last 60 games for EMU meaning EMU has averaged a 10-run outing once every five games since the start of 2021. Between 2018-20, EMU averaged a 10-run game just once every 9.2 games (18 out of 165).
WE SEE YOU, SCHROEDLE: First-year Eagle Kyle Schroedle had his best series of the season against WMU, March 18-19. Schroedle hit a team-best .600 for the series, compiling six knocks in 10 trips to the plate, while racking up seven total bases, two runs, and a .700 slugging percentage. In his eight games prior to the WMU series, Schroedle had just four hits in 26 appearances and a .154 slugging percentage.
Schroedle also has multiple hits in consecutive games for the first time in his EMU career.
TOP DOG TAYLOR: Senior shortstop Taylor Hopkins had a big week for Eastern Michigan at WMU. Hopkins was outstanding at the dish, recording six hits and finishing the weekend with a .462 batting average. The Mason, Ohio native had 11 total bases, a team high, and also drove in five RBIs, the second-best total on the team. He notched two extra-base hits, including a triple and a home run, and reached base in 50 percent of his trips to the plate.
Perfect in the field, Hopkins totaled five put outs and eight assists, all without an error at the shortstop position.
RUSSO ROLLED: Senior righty Luke Russo controlled the game from the mound, March 19, throwing a season-high eight strikeouts and allowing just four hits and three runs en route to a win. The eight strikeouts are the most from Russo since the Howell, Mich. native punched out 11 in a 12-7 win over Miami, April 11, 2022. Additionally, Russo added his second save of the season in EMU's 12-11 win over the Broncos, March 18, going 0.2 innings to finish off the game.
Russo is now 3-0 on the season and 7-0 since the start of the 2021 campaign. His last loss came April 17, 2021, more than 700 days ago.
GOOD EYE GLENN: Senior Glenn Miller is one of the hardest players in the nation to strike out in 2023. The second-year Eagle has fanned just once every 16.5 at bats this season, the 19th-best figure in the nation. Last season, Miller struck out once every seven at bats.
ALL-TIME VS. BUTLER: EMU and Butler will meet for the seventh time this week. The series is currently tied, 3-3, with EMU emerging victorious in the most recent meeting, 7-0, March 20, 2022.
ON THE HORIZON: Eastern returns to Mid-American Conference play and will open its 2023 home slate when it hosts Ball State University in a three-game set, beginning Friday, March 24. First pitch of Friday's game is set for 3 p.m. at Oestrike Stadium.
Eastern Michigan (10-6, 4-2 MAC) enters the midweek game on a two game win streak following its series win over in-state rival Western Michigan University, March 18-19. Meanwhile, Butler (2-15, 0-0 Big East) enters the matchup in search of its first win since Feb. 18, a 16-7 decision over Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Tuesday's game can be followed via StatBroadcast or on social media. For live updates, follow @EMU_Baseball on Twitter.
EIGHT FOR ERIC: Eastern Michigan has eight wins so far this March, the most in the month for Head Coach Eric Roof, in his fifth season at the helm of the program (2018-Pres.). Prior to 2023, Roof's best month-of-March total was seven, which came in 2022. EMU has not had eight wins in March since the 2013 season, when the team recorded 11 wins en route to a 26-28 season.
ANOTHER ONE: Eastern Michigan took 2-of-3 games from Western Michigan in its series with the Broncos. With its result, EMU has now claimed back to back series wins (2-of-3 at Akron, March 10-12; 2-of-3 at WMU, March 18-19). It is the first time EMU has won consecutive series since the 2021 campaign, when it swept St. Bonaventure University in a doubleheader, May 1, before sweeping Bowling Green State University in a four-game set, May 7-8.
BACK TO BACK IN THE MAC: Eastern Michigan has picked up two straight conference series victories. The accomplishment is the first of the sort for the program since it took respective series' against Bowling Green, March 30-April 1, 2018 and Ball State University, April 6-8, 2018.
TAKE (THE FIRST) TWO: EMU has opened its 2023 MAC slate with consecutive series wins. Prior to 2023, Eastern Michigan has not accomplished that feat since the 2017 campaign, when it took 2-of-3 games from both BGSU, March 24-25, and Miami University, April 7-9, respectively.
FUN RUN: Eastern Michigan is one of the most aggressive base running teams in the nation, ranking 37th nationally and second in the Mid-American Conference with 34 stolen bases this season. Last season, EMU was 157th in the country with just 52 stolen bags for the season, a 0.96 steals per game average. This year, the Green and White average 2.12 swipes per game, nearly double its 2022 number. Last season, it took EMU 40 games to record its 34th stolen base, compared to just 16 this season.
SURE HANDED: Eastern Michigan ranks second in the MAC and 34th nationally in fielding percentage (0.979). Eastern went three consecutive games without an error at Evansville, Feb. 24-26, its first such stretch since April 17-20, 2022, in games against Ohio, Siena Heights, and Michigan State.
OBSCURE, YET PAINFUL: Eastern Michigan has earned 33 free bags via hit by pitch this season, the highest total of any Mid-American Conference team. EMU has been hit an average of 2.1 times per game this season, up from 1.44 HBP per contest a season ago. The current number is the 47th highest in of NCAA Division I baseball.
PICK YOUR POISON: The Green and White have displayed the ability to score in bunches in a single inning this season. EMU has scored four runs or more in a single inning 12 times this season. Eastern's best single inning of the season came in its series against Western Michigan, where it pushed across seven runs in the third inning of the series finale, March 19.
SEVEN UP: Eastern Michigan scored a single-inning season-high seven runs in the third inning of its series-closing inning with Western Michigan, March 19. The seven runs were the most by EMU in a single frame since May 1, 2022, when the Green and White tallied eight in the fifth inning against Bowling Green en route to a 19-4 rout of the Falcons.
DOUBLE TROUBLE: Eastern Michigan has had no problem finding second base this year. The Green and White average 2.25 doubles per contest in 2023, which ranks 44th in the nation. Eastern averaged 1.8 doubles per game a season ago.
STRONG START TO CONFERENCE PLAY: Eastern Michigan is off to a 4-2 start in conference play. It marks the first time EMU has recorded four wins in their first six games of MAC play since the 2017 campaign, when the team also recorded four wins during that same stretch.
COMEBACK KIDS: EMU has come back to win four games when trailing by four or more runs this season. The most recent came against WMU, March 18, when the Eagles erased a five-run deficit to secure a 12-11 victory. Last season, EMU did not come back from any such deficits, and only came back from any deficit (one run or more) to win in six total games.
SEASON-HIGH IN HOMERS: The Eastern Michigan offense tabbed four home runs in its 12-11 win over WMU, March 18. This marks the most homers in a single game since the Eagles rocketed eight over the wall in a 19-4 domination of Bowling Green, May 1, 2022.
RUNS, RUNS, RUNS: The Eagles set a season high in RBIs with 13 against Western Michigan, March 19. This marks the most RBIs in a single game for the Eagles since they drove in 19 in a 19-4 win over Bowling Green, May 1, 2022.
SEASON-HIGHS: Eastern Michigan tallied a season-high-tying 16 hits in its series finale at WMU, March 19. The 16 hits led to a season-best 14 runs, including a season-best 13 RBIs. Prior to Sunday, EMU had not scored 14 runs in a game since May 21, 2022, when it defeated Kent State, 15-8.
GOOD EYE: EMU hitters struck out just three times in its series finale at Western Michigan, March 19. The three strikeouts are the fewest for Eastern Michigan since it recorded the same number in back-to-back games at Towson, March 4-5.
BETTER LUX NEXT TIME: Senior Ryan Lux had the at-bat of a lifetime in the ninth inning against WMU, March 18. With EMU down, 11-9, Rux drilled a go-ahead and game-winning three-run shot. The home run was the first of Lux's career, and gave him a career-high three RBIs. It was Lux's first RBI since April 23, 2022, at Toledo.
TEN RUN FUN: EMU has scored 10 or more runs 30 times under Eric Roof (2018-Pres.). The Eagles have emerged victorious in 25 of those games. Additionally, 12 of those performances (40%) have come in the last 60 games for EMU meaning EMU has averaged a 10-run outing once every five games since the start of 2021. Between 2018-20, EMU averaged a 10-run game just once every 9.2 games (18 out of 165).
WE SEE YOU, SCHROEDLE: First-year Eagle Kyle Schroedle had his best series of the season against WMU, March 18-19. Schroedle hit a team-best .600 for the series, compiling six knocks in 10 trips to the plate, while racking up seven total bases, two runs, and a .700 slugging percentage. In his eight games prior to the WMU series, Schroedle had just four hits in 26 appearances and a .154 slugging percentage.
Schroedle also has multiple hits in consecutive games for the first time in his EMU career.
TOP DOG TAYLOR: Senior shortstop Taylor Hopkins had a big week for Eastern Michigan at WMU. Hopkins was outstanding at the dish, recording six hits and finishing the weekend with a .462 batting average. The Mason, Ohio native had 11 total bases, a team high, and also drove in five RBIs, the second-best total on the team. He notched two extra-base hits, including a triple and a home run, and reached base in 50 percent of his trips to the plate.
Perfect in the field, Hopkins totaled five put outs and eight assists, all without an error at the shortstop position.
RUSSO ROLLED: Senior righty Luke Russo controlled the game from the mound, March 19, throwing a season-high eight strikeouts and allowing just four hits and three runs en route to a win. The eight strikeouts are the most from Russo since the Howell, Mich. native punched out 11 in a 12-7 win over Miami, April 11, 2022. Additionally, Russo added his second save of the season in EMU's 12-11 win over the Broncos, March 18, going 0.2 innings to finish off the game.
Russo is now 3-0 on the season and 7-0 since the start of the 2021 campaign. His last loss came April 17, 2021, more than 700 days ago.
GOOD EYE GLENN: Senior Glenn Miller is one of the hardest players in the nation to strike out in 2023. The second-year Eagle has fanned just once every 16.5 at bats this season, the 19th-best figure in the nation. Last season, Miller struck out once every seven at bats.
ALL-TIME VS. BUTLER: EMU and Butler will meet for the seventh time this week. The series is currently tied, 3-3, with EMU emerging victorious in the most recent meeting, 7-0, March 20, 2022.
ON THE HORIZON: Eastern returns to Mid-American Conference play and will open its 2023 home slate when it hosts Ball State University in a three-game set, beginning Friday, March 24. First pitch of Friday's game is set for 3 p.m. at Oestrike Stadium.
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