Eastern Michigan Athletics
Sunday, April 30
Niagara Falls, N.Y.
11 a.m.
Eastern Michigan University
21-21
12
at
5
Niagara
18-17
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Eastern Michigan
0
0
2
1
2
1
6
0
0
12
10
4
Niagara
0
1
0
2
0
1
0
0
1
5
5
2
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
All Eastern Michigan Starters Reach Base in 12-5 Victory over Niagara
4/30/2023 3:17:00 PM | Baseball
Hopkins went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBIs, Eagles issued most walks since 2019 season
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. – (EMUEagles.com) Eastern Michigan University received contributions from every part of its lineup, as all nine starters reached base safely, helping the Eagles put 12 runs on the board rn route to a 12-5 victory over the Niagara University Purple Eagles, Sunday, April 30.
Senior Nick Chittum (Grosse Ile, Mich.-Grosse Ile) (2-4) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Eastern Michigan (21-21). The right-hander went 2.2 hitless innings, allowing four walks and striking out two. Junior Dylan Wolff (Joliet, Ill.-Joliet West-Kankakee C.C.) also made an impact on the mound for the Eagles, throwing three innings, giving up one run on one hit, with no walks and two strikeouts.
Senior Taylor Hopkins (Mason, Ohio-Archbishop Moeller) led the way offensively for the Green and White, going 3-for-3 in the ballgame with a double and three RBIs. Senior Blake McRae (Armada, Mich.-Romeo-Lansing C.C.) compiled a standout effort as well, going 2-for-4 with two walks and two RBIs. Senior Glenn Miller (Pentwater, Mich.-Pentwater-Spring Arbor) also chipped in, going 2-for-4 for Eastern Michigan with two walks and an RBI.
How it Happened
Trailing 1-0, the Eagles first put runs on the board in the third inning. Eastern Michigan plated two runs off of Niagara pitching, one of which was driven in on a run-scoring double off the bat of sophomore Josh Kross (Brunswick, Ohio-Brunswick-Toledo).
The Eagles then held the Purple Eagles scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. McRae came across to score the lone run of the inning for Eastern Michigan, which brought the score to 3-1 in favor of the Eagles.
Niagara came back to tie the ballgame at three before Eastern Michigan reclaimed a 5-3 advantage in the fifth inning. The Eagles notched two runs when a single from McRae scored both Kross and Hopkins.
Eastern Michigan kept the Purple Eagles without a run before their offense got things rolling the next inning. Sophomore Logan Hugo (Essexville, Mich.-Essexville Garber) crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Eagles, bringing the score to 6-3 in favor of Eastern Michigan.
Niagara got within 6-4 until the Eagles doubled its scoring output in the seventh inning to stretch its lead to 12-4. The Eastern Michigan offense piled up six runs, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of junior Darren Kraft (Mount Pleasant, S.C.,-Oceanside Collegiate Academy). Niagara put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Eagles still coasted to the 12-5 win.
Game Notes
» Kross snuck a double down the left field line in the top of the third inning. Scoring Miller, Kross' RBI double put the Eagles on the board Sunday morning, marking the switch hitter's 55th RBI of the season. The first baseman churned out another multi-hit outing Sunday morning, going 2-for-4 from the dish, recording his team-high 23rd multi-hit performance.
» McRae notched two singles and drove in two runs in Sunday morning's contest. This marks the second time the Armada, Mich. native has recorded a multi-RBI game in his Eastern Michigan career, last doing so versus the University of Evansville, Feb. 26. Furthermore, McRae recorded a hit for the seventh straight game, tying Hopkins for the longest current streak on the team. Additionally, this is the longest hitting streak of McRae's EMU career.
» Kraft singled through the right side of the infield in the top of the seventh to score Miller and Hugo. With the single, Kraft achieved his sixth multi-RBI performance of the 2023 regular-season. The Mount Pleasant, S.C. native was also walked twice throughout the contest, making today the second time he has been issued two walks in a single game in his collegiate career, also doing so versus Bowling Green State University, in a 8-6 win, April 14.
» Miller finished the day going 2-for-4 at the plate, scoring two runs, walking twice, and driving in one run. The third baseman is now up to 20 RBIs, 42 runs, and 16 multi-hit performances this season. Lastly, The Pentwater, Mich. native was issued multiple walks today for the fifth time in his EMU career.
» Among other Eagles, Hugo particularly saw the ball well in today's win. The 6-foot-2 outfielder was issued a career-high three base-on-balls in Sunday's contest. With his walks today, Hugo joins McRae, Matt Kirk (Milford, Ohio-Milford-Cypress-Toledo), and Kyle Schroedle (Redding, Calif.-University Prep-Crown College) as the only EMU batters to record three walks in a single game this season.
» With today's win, Eastern Michigan has won five straight games, making them just one win shy of tying its season-long six game winning streak. EMU captured six straight from March 3-11, winning games versus Towson University (four games) and the University of Akron (two games).
» Eastern's 12-4 victory completed the three-game sweep over the Purple Eagles. This is the third time Eastern Michigan has swept a series this season. The Eagles swept Towson in four games, March 3-5, and Western Michigan University, April 11-12, before sweeping three games at Niagara this weekend.
» Eastern Michigan pitching was on point this weekend. The Eagles allowed just 19 total hits to Niagara throughout the three-game series, by far the least amount of hits allowed by EMU pitching in a single series this season.
» Chittum tossed 2.2 innings, allowing one run on no hits while striking out two. The Grosse Ile, Mich. native was credited with the win, marking his second of the season. Chittum now holds a win-loss record of 2-4 on the 2023 season.
» Wolff came in to pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning. He proceeded to throw three full innings, allowing one run on one hit while recording two strike outs. Wolff was credited with the save, the first of his Eastern Michigan career.
Historical Notes
» Hopkins flied out to center field in the third inning, scoring Darren Kraft. Hopkins' sacrifice fly goes down as his 38th of the 2023 campaign. The shortstop continues to climb the EMU leaderboards, with three at-bats today, Hopkins passed former Eagle John Rubino (2012-15) for fourth in Eastern Michigan history with 765 at-bats. The Mason, Ohio native doubled to left center field for his ninth two-bagger of the season. This ties Hopkins' career high for doubles in a single season as he also recorded nine doubles in the 2021 season. After another sacrifice fly in the sixth, and RBI single in the seventh, Hopkins captured his ninth multi-RBI game of the season.
» Sunday morning's contest marks just the sixth 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 6-0 all-time record.
» Today's win marks the fifth 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 5-0 when playing in the empire state under Roof.
» Eastern batters showed terrific plate discipline in today's victory as the Eagles were issued a season-high 12 base-on-balls. This marks the most Eastern has drawn as a team since the Green and White drew 13 walks versus Oakland University, April 3, 2019.
Up Next
Eastern Michigan will head back to Ypsilanti and next see action this Tuesday, May 2, at 6 p.m. when it plays host to the Concordia University Cardinals.
Senior Nick Chittum (Grosse Ile, Mich.-Grosse Ile) (2-4) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Eastern Michigan (21-21). The right-hander went 2.2 hitless innings, allowing four walks and striking out two. Junior Dylan Wolff (Joliet, Ill.-Joliet West-Kankakee C.C.) also made an impact on the mound for the Eagles, throwing three innings, giving up one run on one hit, with no walks and two strikeouts.
Senior Taylor Hopkins (Mason, Ohio-Archbishop Moeller) led the way offensively for the Green and White, going 3-for-3 in the ballgame with a double and three RBIs. Senior Blake McRae (Armada, Mich.-Romeo-Lansing C.C.) compiled a standout effort as well, going 2-for-4 with two walks and two RBIs. Senior Glenn Miller (Pentwater, Mich.-Pentwater-Spring Arbor) also chipped in, going 2-for-4 for Eastern Michigan with two walks and an RBI.
How it Happened
Trailing 1-0, the Eagles first put runs on the board in the third inning. Eastern Michigan plated two runs off of Niagara pitching, one of which was driven in on a run-scoring double off the bat of sophomore Josh Kross (Brunswick, Ohio-Brunswick-Toledo).
The Eagles then held the Purple Eagles scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. McRae came across to score the lone run of the inning for Eastern Michigan, which brought the score to 3-1 in favor of the Eagles.
Niagara came back to tie the ballgame at three before Eastern Michigan reclaimed a 5-3 advantage in the fifth inning. The Eagles notched two runs when a single from McRae scored both Kross and Hopkins.
Eastern Michigan kept the Purple Eagles without a run before their offense got things rolling the next inning. Sophomore Logan Hugo (Essexville, Mich.-Essexville Garber) crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Eagles, bringing the score to 6-3 in favor of Eastern Michigan.
Niagara got within 6-4 until the Eagles doubled its scoring output in the seventh inning to stretch its lead to 12-4. The Eastern Michigan offense piled up six runs, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of junior Darren Kraft (Mount Pleasant, S.C.,-Oceanside Collegiate Academy). Niagara put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Eagles still coasted to the 12-5 win.
Game Notes
» Kross snuck a double down the left field line in the top of the third inning. Scoring Miller, Kross' RBI double put the Eagles on the board Sunday morning, marking the switch hitter's 55th RBI of the season. The first baseman churned out another multi-hit outing Sunday morning, going 2-for-4 from the dish, recording his team-high 23rd multi-hit performance.
» McRae notched two singles and drove in two runs in Sunday morning's contest. This marks the second time the Armada, Mich. native has recorded a multi-RBI game in his Eastern Michigan career, last doing so versus the University of Evansville, Feb. 26. Furthermore, McRae recorded a hit for the seventh straight game, tying Hopkins for the longest current streak on the team. Additionally, this is the longest hitting streak of McRae's EMU career.
» Kraft singled through the right side of the infield in the top of the seventh to score Miller and Hugo. With the single, Kraft achieved his sixth multi-RBI performance of the 2023 regular-season. The Mount Pleasant, S.C. native was also walked twice throughout the contest, making today the second time he has been issued two walks in a single game in his collegiate career, also doing so versus Bowling Green State University, in a 8-6 win, April 14.
» Miller finished the day going 2-for-4 at the plate, scoring two runs, walking twice, and driving in one run. The third baseman is now up to 20 RBIs, 42 runs, and 16 multi-hit performances this season. Lastly, The Pentwater, Mich. native was issued multiple walks today for the fifth time in his EMU career.
» Among other Eagles, Hugo particularly saw the ball well in today's win. The 6-foot-2 outfielder was issued a career-high three base-on-balls in Sunday's contest. With his walks today, Hugo joins McRae, Matt Kirk (Milford, Ohio-Milford-Cypress-Toledo), and Kyle Schroedle (Redding, Calif.-University Prep-Crown College) as the only EMU batters to record three walks in a single game this season.
» With today's win, Eastern Michigan has won five straight games, making them just one win shy of tying its season-long six game winning streak. EMU captured six straight from March 3-11, winning games versus Towson University (four games) and the University of Akron (two games).
» Eastern's 12-4 victory completed the three-game sweep over the Purple Eagles. This is the third time Eastern Michigan has swept a series this season. The Eagles swept Towson in four games, March 3-5, and Western Michigan University, April 11-12, before sweeping three games at Niagara this weekend.
» Eastern Michigan pitching was on point this weekend. The Eagles allowed just 19 total hits to Niagara throughout the three-game series, by far the least amount of hits allowed by EMU pitching in a single series this season.
» Chittum tossed 2.2 innings, allowing one run on no hits while striking out two. The Grosse Ile, Mich. native was credited with the win, marking his second of the season. Chittum now holds a win-loss record of 2-4 on the 2023 season.
» Wolff came in to pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning. He proceeded to throw three full innings, allowing one run on one hit while recording two strike outs. Wolff was credited with the save, the first of his Eastern Michigan career.
Historical Notes
» Hopkins flied out to center field in the third inning, scoring Darren Kraft. Hopkins' sacrifice fly goes down as his 38th of the 2023 campaign. The shortstop continues to climb the EMU leaderboards, with three at-bats today, Hopkins passed former Eagle John Rubino (2012-15) for fourth in Eastern Michigan history with 765 at-bats. The Mason, Ohio native doubled to left center field for his ninth two-bagger of the season. This ties Hopkins' career high for doubles in a single season as he also recorded nine doubles in the 2021 season. After another sacrifice fly in the sixth, and RBI single in the seventh, Hopkins captured his ninth multi-RBI game of the season.
» Sunday morning's contest marks just the sixth 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 6-0 all-time record.
» Today's win marks the fifth 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 5-0 when playing in the empire state under Roof.
» Eastern batters showed terrific plate discipline in today's victory as the Eagles were issued a season-high 12 base-on-balls. This marks the most Eastern has drawn as a team since the Green and White drew 13 walks versus Oakland University, April 3, 2019.
Up Next
Eastern Michigan will head back to Ypsilanti and next see action this Tuesday, May 2, at 6 p.m. when it plays host to the Concordia University Cardinals.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Chittum, Nick (2-4)
L: Minckler,Ryan (0-7)
S: Wolff, Dylan (1)
Batting:
2B: Kross, Josh 1 ; Hopkins, Taylor 1
RBI: Miller, Glenn 1 ; Kraft, Darren 2 ; Kross, Josh 1 ; Hopkins, Taylor 3 ; McRae, Blake 2
SH: Schroedle, Kyle 1
SF: Hopkins, Taylor 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Miller, Glenn 2 ; Kraft, Darren 2 ; Kross, Josh 2 ; Hopkins, Taylor 2 ; McRae, Blake 1 ; Vance, Cooper 1 ; Hugo, Logan 2
SB: Miller, Glenn 1 ; Kraft, Darren 1 ; Hopkins, Taylor 1 ; Schroedle, Kyle 1 ; Hugo, Logan 1
CS: McRae, Blake 1
HBP: Kraft, Darren 1 ; Kross, Josh 1 ; Vance, Cooper 1
Batting:
2B: Tucker, Cole 1
RBI: Tucker, Cole 1 ; Giordano, Max 1 ; Shrader,Gavin 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Corl,Kelly 1 ; O'Connor, Cole 1 ; Milk, Nate 2 ; Shrader,Gavin 1
SB: Groves, Nick 1 ; Corl,Kelly 1 ; Milk, Nate 1
HBP: O'Connor, Cole 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
3
R
2
H
3
RBI
3
3b/2b
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
1
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
1
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
IF
/ BaseballOF
/ BaseballIF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballInside the Ride Episode 1: Celia Murkowski
Wednesday, September 17
Drew Beckner's Comments After BGSU Win in MAC Tournament
Friday, May 23
Robbie Britt's Comments After MAC Tournament Win over BGSU
Friday, May 23
EMU Stuns BGSU for First Postseason Win Since 2017
Friday, May 23