Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
10-8, 0
Ball State
15-6, 0
Baseball Falls 2-1 to Ball State in Late-Game Heartbreaker
3/24/2023 5:45:00 PM | Baseball
Thomas House shined on the mound, allowing just one run while striking out eight
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Senior Thomas House (Ross, Ohio.-Ross) dominated Friday, March 24, punching out eight Ball State University hitters over six innings of work, but it was not enough as the Eastern Michigan University baseball team lost to the Cardinals 2-1 at Oestrike Stadium.
In addition to his eight strikeouts, House threw six innings, giving up one run on two hits and walking four for Eastern Michigan (10-8, 4-3 MAC). Senior Luke Russo (Howell, Mich.-Howell) (3-1) also made an impact on the mound for the Eagles, throwing 2.1 innings, giving up one run on two hits, with no walks and two strikeouts. Russo ultimately took the loss in the game.
In the batter's box, the Eagles were led by sophomore Josh Kross (Brunswick, Ohio.-Brunswick-Toledo), who went 1-for-4 on the day with a double and an RBI. Senior Taylor Hopkins (Mason, Ohio.-Archbishop Moeller) compiled a noteworthy effort as well, going 2-for-4 with a double.
How it Happened
Trailing 1-0, the Eagles first put runs on the board in the sixth inning. Eastern Michigan got on the board thanks to Kross' RBI double with two outs. Ball State then scored one time over the remaining three innings to break the tie and grab the 2-1 win.
Game Notes:
» Eastern Michigan saw an impressive performance from House, who tied a season high eight strikeouts, while allowing no runs and just two hits over 6.0 innings pitched. The six innings pitched were the most the right-hander has thrown in an outing since he threw seven innings against Bowling Green State University in a 6-5 win, April 29, 2022. In addition, the eight strikeouts tie an EMU season-high as Nick Chittum (Grosse Ile, Mich.-Grosse Ile) struck out eight in a 6-5 loss to Akron, March 12, along with Russo, who sat eight down in a 14-3 domination of Western Michigan University, March 19.
» Kross got the scoring going for Eastern Michigan, blasting an RBI double out to left center field to score Cole Wilcox (Shiocton, Wisc.-Shiocton-lake County). Kross now has 24 RBIs on the season, which leads the time in this respective category.
» Eastern Michigan saw impressive contributions from their pitching staff in today's contest. By way of House, Zack Gillig (Valley Center, Kan.-Valley Center-Pratt), and Russo, EMU pitchers combined to give up just five hits today, their second lowest hit total of the season. The Eagles allowed just three hits to Evansville University in a 5-2 victory, Feb. 24.
» Hopkins led the offense for Eastern Michigan, recording two hits including a double in the bottom half of the ninth inning. The double was the fourth extra-base hit for the shortstop in the 2023 season. Moreover, today's performance from Hopkins marks his fourth-straight multi-hit game.
» Eastern played superb defense today, allowing just two runs to Ball State. Two runs is the second-least amount of runs scored by the Cardinals this season. Furthermore, EMU allowed six hits from the Cardinals today, breaking a five-game streak of double digits hits for Ball State
» Eastern was extremely aggressive on the base paths in today's game. The Eagles swiped four bags from the Cards, tying a season-high as EMU also stole four against Towson, March 3 and March 4. Last season, the Green and White stole four or more bases in a single game just four times.
» As a pitching staff, Eastern Michigan allowed one earned run against the Cardinals. The result is just the second time the Eagles have allowed just one run or few, the other coming at Towson, March 4.
» Eastern Michigan allowed just six hits against Ball State. It is just the fourth time that the Eagles have allowed six hits or fewer in a game this season, allowing five hits or fewer on just three different occasions. Furthermore, it is the first time the Eagles lost a game this season when allowing six or fewer hits. Eastern lost six games in the 2022 season when allowing six hits or fewer.
» As a team, Eastern Michigan drew three walks in the loss against Ball State. The Eagles have had at least three walks in all but three games in the 2023 season.
Historical Notes
»Today's contest marked the 77th all-time meeting between Eastern Michigan and Ball State. With the loss, the Eagles fall to 30-47 all time against the Cardinals.
Up Next
The Eagles will return to Oestrike Stadium for two more home games, Saturday March 24, and Sunday March 25, with Saturday's matchup starting at 3 p.m. and Sunday's slated for 1 p.m. Fans can tune into Eagle All-Access all weekend and follow along on EMUEagles.com
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Ryan Brown (4-1)
L: Russo, Luke (3-1)
Batting:
3B: Decker Scheffler 1
RBI: Adam Tellier 1 ; Hunter Dobbins 1
SH: Adam Tellier 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Matthew Rivera 1 ; Justin Conant 1
SB: Grant Miller 1 ; Justin Conant 1
CS: Adam Tellier 1 ; Justin Conant 1
HBP: Andrew Wilhite 1 ; Blake Bevis 1
Batting:
2B: Kross, Josh 1 ; Hopkins, Taylor 1
RBI: Kross, Josh 1
SH: Miller, Glenn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Wilcox, Cole 1
SB: Miller, Glenn 1 ; Hopkins, Taylor 1 ; Taylor, Cory 1 ; Dolney, Aaron 1
