Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
13-24, 8-9
Akron
8-30, 3-14
Beckner Strikes Out Eight as Baseball Endures 7-2 Setback to Akron
4/20/2024 4:58:00 PM | Baseball
Drew Beckner had an EMU career-best eight strikeouts while pitching 7.2 innings, his most as an Eagle
Photo Gallery | Re-Watch The Game
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Junior Drew Beckner had a strong outing on Saturday, April 20, fanning eight University of Akron hitters over 7.2 innings of work, as Eastern Michigan University lost to the Zips 7-2, in Mid-American Conference action at Oestrike Stadium.
In addition to his eight strikeouts, Beckner (Westerville, Ohio/Big Walnut/Charleston) went a career-best 7.2 innings, giving up four runs on five hits for Eastern Michigan.
Sophomore Aaron Pirkle (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany/Akron) also made an impact on the mound for the Eagles, throwing one scoreless inning while allowing no hits, with one walk and two strikeouts.
How it Happened
The Eagles were trailing 1-0 in the fourth inning when they first put runs on the board. After stealing third, Blake McRae (Armada, Mich./Romeo/Lansing C.C.) would run home off a throwing error by the Akron catcher, before Lucas Johnson (Hamilton, Ontario/Westdale Secondary/Wright State) grounded out to the shortstop, scoring Giano Zuccaro (Middleburg Heights, Ohio/Berea Midpark/Charleston).
The Eagles were unable to hold the lead, as Akron scored six times over the remaining five innings to grab the 7-2 win.
Game Notes
» McRae got the scoring started for the Eagles. He got on base with a hit and then stole second, marking his sixth stolen base of the season. He would reach home on a throwing error for his team-leading 35th run of the year.
»Beckner had a productive outing, striking out eight batters in 7.2 innings of work, while allowing five hits. The eight strikeouts ties an Eastern career-high for the southpaw, a total he also achieved at Ball State University, March 9.
» Johnson paced the Eagles' offense. Finishing the game with two hits, he collected his 11th multi-hit game. Johnson also drove in one baserunner for his 21st RBI of the year.
» Pirkle pitched in relief for Eastern Michigan, striking out two batters. It is the fourth time this season in which he pitched at least one inning of shutout baseball.
» Zuccaro's ninth inning single marked his ninth consecutive game with a hit. A knock in his next game would tie him with teammate Brendan Kleiman (Olney, Md./Sherwood/Frederick C.C.) for the longest hitting streak on the team this season (10 games).
» With one hit today, Logan Hugo (Essexville, Mich./Essexville Garber) has reached base safely in 15 straight contests, which currently stands as the longest active streak on the squad. Hugo needs to safely reach base in five more games consecutively to tie Johnson for the longest streak on the team this season (20 games).
Historical Notes
» The contest marked the 65th all-time meeting between the Eagles and the Zips. The Eagles lead the all-time series, 38-27.
Up Next
Eastern Michigan concludes its eight-game homestand against Akron Sunday, April 21. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: SCHAEFFER, Joey (1-6)
L: Beckner, Drew (2-6)
Batting:
2B: STROM, James 1
HR: SPROCKETT, Michael 1 ; HAYMAN, Henry 1
RBI: BOWMAN, Max 1 ; SPROCKETT, Michael 1 ; SEEKER, Sam 2 ; HAYMAN, Henry 3
Base Running:
RUNS: BOTTONE, Evan 2 ; SCHEBLER, Charlie 1 ; SPROCKETT, Michael 1 ; SEEKER, Sam 1 ; HAYMAN, Henry 1 ; PYATT, Fisher 1
SB: BOTTONE, Evan 2 ; SCHEBLER, Charlie 1 ; SEEKER, Sam 2
CS: HAYMAN, Henry 1
HBP: SEEKER, Sam 1 ; HAYMAN, Henry 1
Batting:
2B: Miller, Glenn 1
RBI: Johnson, Lucas 1
SH: Vance, Cooper 1 ; Miller, Glenn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: McRae, Blake 1 ; Zuccaro, Giano 1
SB: Jones, Drew 1 ; McRae, Blake 1 ; Zuccaro, Giano 1
CS: Hugo, Logan 1 ; Johnson, Lucas 1
