Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, April 29
Niagara Falls, N.Y.
12 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
20-21
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Eastern Michigan
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Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Kirk and Russo Lead Baseball to 12-2 Win Over Niagara
4/29/2023 4:10:00 PM | Baseball
Kirk sets program record for doubles in a single game, Russo sets career-high with 12 strikeouts
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – (EMUEagles.com) Senior Luke Russo (Howell, Mich.-Howell) dominated on Saturday, April 29, punching out 12 Niagara hitters over 6.2 innings of work to help lead the Eastern Michigan University Eagles past the Niagara University Purple Eagles, 12-2, in non-conference action at Bobo Field.
In addition to his 12 strikeouts, Russo (5-2) threw 6.2 innings, giving up one run on two hits and walking none for Eastern Michigan (20-21). Junior Jagger Jefferies (Barnesville, Ohio-Barnesville-Bryant & Stratton College) 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 three strikeouts.
At the plate, the Eagles were paced by graduate student Matt Kirk (Milford, Ohio-Milford-Cypress-Toledo), who went 4-for-5 on the day with four doubles, a walk and two RBI. Sophomore Josh Kross (Brunswick, Ohio-Brunswick-Toledo) put together a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 4-for-6 with a double and four RBI. Freshman Cooper Vance (New Waterford, Ohio-Mohawk) also chipped in for Eastern Michigan, putting together one hit in one trip to the plate while adding a double, two walks and two RBI.
How it Happened
The Eagles were trailing 1-0 in the sixth inning when they first put runs on the board. Kross' run-scoring single highlighted a two-run inning for Eastern Michigan.
The Purple Eagles failed to push any runs across before the Eagles offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. Eastern Michigan put three runs on the board in the inning, highlighted by a run-scoring triple from sophomore Logan Hugo (Essexville, Mich.-Essexville Garber), which brought the score to 5-1 in favor of the Eagles.
Eastern Michigan held Niagara scoreless before expanding their lead to 11-1 the following inning. The Eagles bats heated up in the inning, scoring six runs, including a two-run double off the bat of Kirk and a two-run double from Vance.
The Purple Eagles gained ground, closing the gap to 11-2 until Eastern Michigan added some insurance in the ninth. The Eagles scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Kross, bringing the Eastern Michigan advantage to 12-2. The score remained 12-2 for the rest of the game, as the Eagles coasted to the win.
Game Notes
» Vance continues to display quality at-bats as the second baseman drew two base-on-balls today for the first time in his collegiate career. Vance doubled to left center field in the Eagles six-run seventh inning. The two-bagger scored Cole Wilcox (Shiocton, Wisc.-Shiocton-Lake County) and Aaron Dolney (Plymouth, Mich.-Detroit Country Day-Nebraska-Hillsborough C.C.) for the second and third RBIs of his young career. Moreover, with two runs in both game one and two of the series, Vance has notched multiple runs in consecutive games for the first time this season.
» Hugo tripled to center field in the top of the seventh inning. Scoring Wilcox, this marks the second triple in the sophomore's career, with the first one coming earlier this season in a win versus Western Michigan University, April 11.
» Blake McRae (Armada, Mich.-Romeo-Lansing C.C.) tallied two hits Saturday afternoon, marking the senior's third multi-hit performance of the season.
» Glenn Miller (Pentwater, Mich.-Pentwater-Spring Arbor) flew out to right field, scoring Hugo for the sacrifice fly that goes down as Miller's 19th RBI of the 2023 campaign.
» Kross continued the Eagles big seventh inning by shooting a double down the right field line, scoring Kirk for Eastern Michigan's third run of the inning. In his next at-bat, the Brunswick, Ohio native singled to centerfield in the eighth, again scoring Kirk. The switch hitter would finish the day going 4-for-6 at the plate with four RBIs. Four hits are a career high for Kross, and his four RBIs today mark the third time he has done so in his career. Additionally, with 54 RBIs this season, Kross is just four RBIs away from tying Kent State University's Aidan Longwell (58) for top in the conference.
» Wilcox doubled to right field in the top of the eighth inning. Darren Kraft (Mount Pleasant, S.C.-Oceanside Collegiate Academy) scored on the extra-base-hit, marking Wilcox's fifth double and eighth RBI of the 2023 campaign.
» Eastern Michigan had everything going for them offensively Saturday afternoon, plating 12 runs on a season-high 17 hits. This marks the most hits for the Eagles since they knocked 20 in a 19-4 win over Bowling Green State University, May 1, 2022.
» Russo was nearly unhittable on the bump today. The right hander fanned a career high 12 batters and allowed just two hits in 6.2 innings of work. The senior's 12 punch outs are the most from a single pitcher for the Eagles since former eagle Sam Delaplane also sat down 12 in a 8-2 win over Ohio University, April 14, 2017. Lastly, Russo now sits atop the MAC rankings in total strikeouts with 85 on the season.
» Russo and Jefferis combined for 15 total strikeouts today, a season-high for the Eagles. 15 strikeouts is the most for Eastern Michigan as a team since EMU pitchers combined to strikeout 17 in a 12-7 decision over Miami University, April 11, 2022.
Historical Notes
» Saturday afternoon's contest marks just the fourth all-time meeting between Eastern Michigan and Niagara. While also being the first appearance EMU has made at Niagara University. After today's victory, the Eagles remain perfect when facing the Purple Eagles, now boasting a 5-0 all-time record.
» Today's win marks the fourth win in the state of New York for the Eagles in the Head Coach Eric Roof era. After sweeping St. Bonaventure University in a doubleheader, May 1, 2021, the Green and White are a perfect 4-0 when playing in the empire state under Roof.
» With six at-bats today, Taylor Hopkins (Mason, Ohio-Archbishop Moeller) has passed former Eagle Mike Mioduszewski (2014-17) with 762 at-bats for the number five spot in EMU history. Hopkins reached base on. A fielder's choice in the sixth inning, scoring Kirk. The RBI marks the 37th of the season from the Mason, Ohio native.
» Kirk doubled down the right field line in the fourth inning, marking his 19th double of the 2023 season. The graduate student would do the same in the sixth inning, this time down the left field line. Kirk ended the day with four extra-base-hits for the first time in his collegiate career. Kirk's 22 two-baggers lead both Eastern Michigan and the Mid-American Conference. The Milford, Ohio native also leads the conference in extra-base-hits on the 2023 season, having recorded 34 thus far. Lastly, Kirk's four double Saturday afternoon set a program record for Eastern Michigan since modern statistical data began being kept (1999-Pres.). The reigning MAC Player of the Year's four doubles today ties for the most in a single game by any player in the NCAA this season. Kirk is now one of just five players to reach the four double mark in a single game this season.
Up Next
Eastern Michigan and Niagara will play their series finale tomorrow, Sunday, April 30, with the first pitch slated for 11 a.m.
In addition to his 12 strikeouts, Russo (5-2) threw 6.2 innings, giving up one run on two hits and walking none for Eastern Michigan (20-21). Junior Jagger Jefferies (Barnesville, Ohio-Barnesville-Bryant & Stratton College) 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 three strikeouts.
At the plate, the Eagles were paced by graduate student Matt Kirk (Milford, Ohio-Milford-Cypress-Toledo), who went 4-for-5 on the day with four doubles, a walk and two RBI. Sophomore Josh Kross (Brunswick, Ohio-Brunswick-Toledo) put together a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 4-for-6 with a double and four RBI. Freshman Cooper Vance (New Waterford, Ohio-Mohawk) also chipped in for Eastern Michigan, putting together one hit in one trip to the plate while adding a double, two walks and two RBI.
How it Happened
The Eagles were trailing 1-0 in the sixth inning when they first put runs on the board. Kross' run-scoring single highlighted a two-run inning for Eastern Michigan.
The Purple Eagles failed to push any runs across before the Eagles offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. Eastern Michigan put three runs on the board in the inning, highlighted by a run-scoring triple from sophomore Logan Hugo (Essexville, Mich.-Essexville Garber), which brought the score to 5-1 in favor of the Eagles.
Eastern Michigan held Niagara scoreless before expanding their lead to 11-1 the following inning. The Eagles bats heated up in the inning, scoring six runs, including a two-run double off the bat of Kirk and a two-run double from Vance.
The Purple Eagles gained ground, closing the gap to 11-2 until Eastern Michigan added some insurance in the ninth. The Eagles scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Kross, bringing the Eastern Michigan advantage to 12-2. The score remained 12-2 for the rest of the game, as the Eagles coasted to the win.
Game Notes
» Vance continues to display quality at-bats as the second baseman drew two base-on-balls today for the first time in his collegiate career. Vance doubled to left center field in the Eagles six-run seventh inning. The two-bagger scored Cole Wilcox (Shiocton, Wisc.-Shiocton-Lake County) and Aaron Dolney (Plymouth, Mich.-Detroit Country Day-Nebraska-Hillsborough C.C.) for the second and third RBIs of his young career. Moreover, with two runs in both game one and two of the series, Vance has notched multiple runs in consecutive games for the first time this season.
» Hugo tripled to center field in the top of the seventh inning. Scoring Wilcox, this marks the second triple in the sophomore's career, with the first one coming earlier this season in a win versus Western Michigan University, April 11.
» Blake McRae (Armada, Mich.-Romeo-Lansing C.C.) tallied two hits Saturday afternoon, marking the senior's third multi-hit performance of the season.
» Glenn Miller (Pentwater, Mich.-Pentwater-Spring Arbor) flew out to right field, scoring Hugo for the sacrifice fly that goes down as Miller's 19th RBI of the 2023 campaign.
» Kross continued the Eagles big seventh inning by shooting a double down the right field line, scoring Kirk for Eastern Michigan's third run of the inning. In his next at-bat, the Brunswick, Ohio native singled to centerfield in the eighth, again scoring Kirk. The switch hitter would finish the day going 4-for-6 at the plate with four RBIs. Four hits are a career high for Kross, and his four RBIs today mark the third time he has done so in his career. Additionally, with 54 RBIs this season, Kross is just four RBIs away from tying Kent State University's Aidan Longwell (58) for top in the conference.
» Wilcox doubled to right field in the top of the eighth inning. Darren Kraft (Mount Pleasant, S.C.-Oceanside Collegiate Academy) scored on the extra-base-hit, marking Wilcox's fifth double and eighth RBI of the 2023 campaign.
» Eastern Michigan had everything going for them offensively Saturday afternoon, plating 12 runs on a season-high 17 hits. This marks the most hits for the Eagles since they knocked 20 in a 19-4 win over Bowling Green State University, May 1, 2022.
» Russo was nearly unhittable on the bump today. The right hander fanned a career high 12 batters and allowed just two hits in 6.2 innings of work. The senior's 12 punch outs are the most from a single pitcher for the Eagles since former eagle Sam Delaplane also sat down 12 in a 8-2 win over Ohio University, April 14, 2017. Lastly, Russo now sits atop the MAC rankings in total strikeouts with 85 on the season.
» Russo and Jefferis combined for 15 total strikeouts today, a season-high for the Eagles. 15 strikeouts is the most for Eastern Michigan as a team since EMU pitchers combined to strikeout 17 in a 12-7 decision over Miami University, April 11, 2022.
Historical Notes
» Saturday afternoon's contest marks just the fourth all-time meeting between Eastern Michigan and Niagara. While also being the first appearance EMU has made at Niagara University. After today's victory, the Eagles remain perfect when facing the Purple Eagles, now boasting a 5-0 all-time record.
» Today's win marks the fourth win in the state of New York for the Eagles in the Head Coach Eric Roof era. After sweeping St. Bonaventure University in a doubleheader, May 1, 2021, the Green and White are a perfect 4-0 when playing in the empire state under Roof.
» With six at-bats today, Taylor Hopkins (Mason, Ohio-Archbishop Moeller) has passed former Eagle Mike Mioduszewski (2014-17) with 762 at-bats for the number five spot in EMU history. Hopkins reached base on. A fielder's choice in the sixth inning, scoring Kirk. The RBI marks the 37th of the season from the Mason, Ohio native.
» Kirk doubled down the right field line in the fourth inning, marking his 19th double of the 2023 season. The graduate student would do the same in the sixth inning, this time down the left field line. Kirk ended the day with four extra-base-hits for the first time in his collegiate career. Kirk's 22 two-baggers lead both Eastern Michigan and the Mid-American Conference. The Milford, Ohio native also leads the conference in extra-base-hits on the 2023 season, having recorded 34 thus far. Lastly, Kirk's four double Saturday afternoon set a program record for Eastern Michigan since modern statistical data began being kept (1999-Pres.). The reigning MAC Player of the Year's four doubles today ties for the most in a single game by any player in the NCAA this season. Kirk is now one of just five players to reach the four double mark in a single game this season.
Up Next
Eastern Michigan and Niagara will play their series finale tomorrow, Sunday, April 30, with the first pitch slated for 11 a.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Russo, Luke (5-2)
L: Hospital, Steven (4-4)
Batting:
2B: Kirk, Matt 4 ; Kross, Josh 1 ; Wilcox, Cole 1 ; Vance, Cooper 1
3B: Hugo, Logan 1
RBI: Miller, Glenn 1 ; Kirk, Matt 2 ; Kross, Josh 4 ; Hopkins, Taylor 1 ; Wilcox, Cole 1 ; Vance, Cooper 2 ; Hugo, Logan 1
SH: Vance, Cooper 1
SF: Miller, Glenn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Miller, Glenn 1 ; Kirk, Matt 3 ; Kraft, Darren 1 ; Dolney, Aaron 1 ; Wilcox, Cole 2 ; Vance, Cooper 2 ; Hugo, Logan 2
SB: Kraft, Darren 1
CS: Miller, Glenn 1
HBP: Vance, Cooper 1
Batting:
2B: Tucker, Cole 1
RBI: Groves, Nick 1 ; Tucker, Cole 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Corl,Kelly 1 ; Milk, Nate 1
CS: Groves, Nick 1
HBP: Corl,Kelly 1 ; Ward,Matt 1 ; O'Connor, Cole 1
Game Leaders
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RBI
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Players Mentioned
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