Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
12-18, 0
Kent State
14-15, 0
Baseball Drops 9-2 Decision at Kent State
4/7/2024 3:57:00 PM | Baseball
The Eagles will return to Oestrike Stadium to open an eight-game home stand, April 9-21
KENT, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball team fell to Kent State University, 9-2, Sunday, April 7, at Schoonover Stadium. The Eagles moved to 11-18 (7-5 MAC) on the season, while Kent State improved to 14-15 (7-5 MAC).
Freshman Niko Kreuzer (Westerville, Ohio/St. Francis Desales) was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going 3.1 shutout innings while allowing one hit, walking none, striking out one, and at one point retiring 10 consecutive opposing batters.
At the plate, the Eagles were paced by Lucas Johnson (Hamilton, Ontario/Westdale Secondary/Wright State), who went 2-for-4 on the day with one double.
Junior Giano Zuccaro (Middleburg Heights, Ohio/Berea Midpark/Charleston) furnished a standout day at the dish as well, going 2-for-2 with an RBI. Senior Kyle Schroedle (Redding, Calif./University Prep/Crown College) also contributed for Eastern Michigan, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding one double.
How it Happened
Trailing 8-0, the Eagles first put runs on the board in the fifth inning. Junior Brendan Kleiman (Olney, Md./Sherwood/Frederick C.C.) came across to score the lone run of the inning for Eastern, getting it on the board.
The Golden Flashes expanded their lead to 9-1 before the Eagles offense got back to work, cutting into that lead in the eighth. EMU scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Zuccaro, which brought the score to 9-2 in favor of the Golden Flashes.
The Eagles were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.
Game Notes
» Johnson had a productive play from the plate, batting 2-for-4, recording his sixth multi-hit performance of the season.
» Aidan Arbogast (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson/Mid-Michigan/Kellogg C.C.) drove in an Eastern baserunner in the top of the fifth inning. The junior now has eight RBI this season.
» Schroedle tabbed one double and one single for his 10th game with multiple knocks this season.
» Kreuzer had a career-outing on the mound. Entering the game in relief effort in the fifth inning, Kreuzer pitched a career-long 3.1 innings, allowing just one hit, zero runs, and striking out one while walking none. The freshman retired 10 Golden Flashes consecutively from the fifth till the eighth inning. The outing went down as Kreuzer's second occurrence going at least three innings allowing zero runs and issuing zero walks, he previously did so in Eastern's 6-2 win over Ball State University, March 9.
» Zuccaro recorded an RBI on his second hit of the game, bringing his RBI total to 18 on the year, and marking his 10th multi-hit game.
Historical Notes
» Sunday's game marked the 132nd all-time between Eastern and Kent State. After the result, the Eagles hold a 49-83 record against the Golden Flashes.
Up Next
Eastern will return home to Oestrike Stadium to open an eight-game homestand, April 9-21. First, the Eagles will face the Golden Grizzlies of Oakland University in a non-conference match up Tuesday, April 9, at 4 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Chalus,Eric (4-2)
L: Chittum, Nick (3-3)
Batting:
2B: Johnson, Lucas 1 ; Schroedle, Kyle 1
RBI: Zuccaro, Giano 1 ; Arbogast, Aidan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kleiman, Brendan 1 ; Vance, Cooper 1
CS: Zuccaro, Giano 1
HBP: Zuccaro, Giano 2
Batting:
2B: Williams,Brody 2
3B: Jackson,Kyle 1
HR: McNamara,Michael 1 ; Klotz,Hunter 1
RBI: Jackson,Kyle 1 ; Williams,Brody 2 ; Kibler,Dom 1 ; McNamara,Michael 1 ; Klotz,Hunter 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Shinkle,B 1 ; Jackson,Kyle 1 ; Johnson,Josh 1 ; Casey,Jake 1 ; Williams,Brody 1 ; Kibler,Dom 1 ; McNamara,Michael 2 ; Klotz,Hunter 1
SB: Shinkle,B 1 ; Casey,Jake 1
CS: Klotz,Hunter 1
HBP: Klotz,Hunter 1
