Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, February 22
Conway, Ark.
5 p.m. CT (6 p.m. ET)
Eastern Michigan University
at
Central Arkansas
Photo by: Phelan Ebenhack/Walt Middleton Photography
Baseball Slated for Three-Game Set at Central Arkansas
2/20/2025 1:08:00 PM | Baseball
After schedule adjustments, the series will run Saturday-Monday, Feb. 22-24
| Baseball at Central Arkansas | |
| Date | Saturday-Monday | Feb. 22-24 |
| Venue | Bear Stadium | Conway, Ark. |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes (PDF) | Media Guide |
| Live Stats | Live Stats |
| Social Media | X: @EMU_Baseball | @EMUAthletics IG: @emu_baseball | @emuathletics |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball team will face the Central Arkansas University Bears for the first time in program history in its second series of the 2025 campaign, Saturday-Monday, Feb. 22-24. After originally scheduled for a four-game series, the series will shift to three games as Friday's doubleheader was postponed due to predicted inclement weather in the area. Saturday's game will start at 4 p.m. CT (5 p.m. ET), Sunday's will begin at 12 p.m. CT (1 p.m. ET), and Monday's will start at 1 p.m. CT (2 p.m. ET).
Fans can follow along using the live stats and audio link that can be accessed on the EMU baseball schedule page here. Also, stay tuned to EMU baseball socials including EMU_Baseball on X (formerly Twitter), and emu_baseball on Instagram for live in-game updates and additional EMU baseball content.
ALL-TIME VERSUS CENTRAL ARKANSAS
The Eagles and Bears are meeting for the first time.
SERIES IN REVIEW: VS. PITT, FEB. 14-16
The Eagles opened their season with a three-game series against Pitt in Port Charlotte, Fla., where they were swept, 3-0.
Game One
The Eastern bats and pitching started strong, getting out to an 8-2 lead before the Panthers plated six in the seventh to tie it at eight apiece. The game went into extras and was concluded in the 12th with a Pitt homer to left field. The game marked the first time Eastern went into extra innings in a season opener since the 2014 season when it knocked off No. 13, Clemson, 6-5, in 10 innings. It was also EMU's first 12-inning game since 2018.
Game Two
After rocky pitching and cold bats, Eastern heated up to fight back from a 4-0 deficit, scoring eight-straight runs from the third-fifth innings, ending the fifth up 8-4. The Pitt offense erupted for a six-run sixth inning, eventually winning, 11-8.
Game Three
The Eagles quickly got down 3-0 after the second, eventually falling to the Panthers, 17-2 in seven innings. The loss marked the largest (15 runs) of the Robbie Britt era, and the program's largest since they lost by 20 (24-4) at Central Michigan in the 2023 season, May 6.
BARN BURNER SEASON OPENER
Despite losing to Pitt in the season opener, 9-8, Feb. 14, Eastern's nine runs and 15 hits were its most in a season opener since it plated 16 runs off 16 hits at Austin Peay to start the 2020 season, Feb. 15. Also, EMU's 15 hits were its most against a Power Four foe since it also knocked 15 in a win over Oklahoma State on the road, March 10, 2018.
POP IN THE BATS
The Eagles knocked six homers in the first series of the season, their most in a season-opening series since it also sent six over the wall in 2008's season-opening series against New Mexico, Feb. 22-24. Eastern's six long balls rank as the most in the MAC and 30th in the nation. Eastern also ranks highly in homers per game, standing 20th in the nation and first in the conference, averaging 2.00 per game.
HARRISON TRAVIS: MAC LEADER IN HRs
Graduate student catcher Harrison Travis is tied for the MAC lead in home runs with two and holds the conference's single-game high with both homers coming in the second game against Pitt (L, 11-8), Feb. 18. He is one of three MAC players to homer twice in the opening weekend, as he stands 29th in the nation with two home runs. After Kyle Schroedle hit two homers in the opening series against Belmont last season, the Eagles have seen multiple homers from one player in consecutive opening series for the first time since the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Zachary Owings homered twice in 2019's opening series against NJIT, Feb. 15-17, and Taylor Hopkins sent two over the wall against Austin Peay, Feb. 15.
BRUCE JELLISON: BIG HITTER
Junior infielder Bruce Jellison is tied for second in the MAC with six hits on the season and is also tied for the conference single-game high as he knocked four on opening day against Pitt, Feb. 14 (L, 9-8 (12)). His four hits that day marked the first time an Eagle delivered a four-hit Eastern debut since 2022 MAC Player of the Year Matt Kirk drilled four against Winthrop, Feb. 18, 2022. Additionally, Jellison is the first Eagle to produce a minimum of six hits in an opening series since both Kirk and Shane Easter did so to open the 2022 season against Winthrop. Kirk had eight hits while Easter posted six.
3x3 ON OPENING DAY
Bruce Jellison (four hits), Cooper Vance (three hits) and John Hale's (three hits) opening-day performances marked the first time three Eagles have recorded at least three hits each in a season opener since four Eagles (Taylor Hopkins, Nick Jones, Drake Peggs, and Jared Kauffman) recorded a minimum of three hits in a 16-8 win at Austin Peay to start the 2020 season, Feb. 15.
KEANE AND KAPA STRIKEOUTS/9
Nick Keane and Tyler Kapa have shown strong strike throwing ability through three games. Keane's lone appearance on the bump, a three-inning, six-strikeout, and zero run performance, has him ranked 23rd nationally and first in the MAC, averaging 18.00 strikeouts per nine innings.
Kapa's EMU debut saw the senior right hander sit down nine while walking two in five innings, ranking him 58th in America and second in the MAC with 16.20 strikeouts per nine. His nine strikeouts fell one shy of tying the individual single-game high from last season when Bobby Jones struck out 10 against Ohio, April 13. Furthermore, Kapa's nine strikeouts, by number of games, is the earliest an EMU hurler has punched out a minimum of nine batters since Justin Meis struck out 10 in the second game of the 2020 season against Austin Peay, Feb. 15. Meis was selected in the 10th round of the 2021 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates and he currently pitches for its Double-A affiliate, the Altoona Curve.
TAKING ONE FOR THE TEAM
Both tallying one sacrifice fly in the first series against Pitt, Eastern newcomers Kevin Krill and Connor Walsh are tied for 34th in the nation and first in the MAC in sacrifice flies. Both marked the first RBI of their respective EMU careers.
TURN TWO!
Eastern is ranked 36th nationally and third in the conference, averaging one double play per game. Connor Walsh, Bruce Jellison, and Harrison Travis have played a hand in two each while Devan Zirwas has in one. In total double plays, the Eagles rank 64th in the nation and third in the MAC.
HIGH IN MAC RANKINGS: TEAM
Eastern ranks inside the top four in the MAC in six different categories, most notably ranking first in home runs (6) and slugging percentage (.509).
Rank Stat Figure
1st HRs 6
1st SLG % .509
2nd TB 55
T2nd 3B 1
T2nd DPs 3
4th 2B 4
HIGH IN MAC RANKINGS: INDIV.
Eastern has players that rank inside the top three in MAC team single-game highs in 11 categories.
Batting
Name Rank Stat Figure
H. Travis T1st HRs 2
C. Vance T1st 2B 2
L. Hugo T1st 3B 1
J. Hale T1st SB 2
B. Jellison T2nd Hits 6
H. Travis T3rd SLG % .900
C. Vance T3rd SLG % .900
Pitching
Name Rank Stat Figure
N. Keane T1st ERA 0.00
T. Kapa T1st SO 9
D. Beckner T2nd Hits 2
N. Keane T2nd Hits 2
N. Keane T2nd BB 2
T. Kapa T2nd BB 2
Fielding
Name Rank Stat Figure
J. Hale T1st Field % 1.000
5 Others T1st Field % 1.000
H. Travis T3rd DP 2
B. Jellison T3rd DP 2
C. Walsh T3rd DP 2
HIGH IN MAC RANKINGS: TEAM SINGLE GAME
Eastern ranks inside the top three in MAC team single game highs in nine categories.
Opp. Rank Stat Figure
Pitt (2/14) 1st IP 11.1
Pitt (2/14) 1st PO 34
Pitt (2/14) T1st 2B 4
Pitt (2/14) T1st DPs 2
Pitt (2/14) 2nd Hits 15
Pitt (2/14) T2nd SO 13
Pitt (2/15) T2nd 3B 1
Pitt (2/15) T2nd HRs 3
Pitt (2/14) 3rd TB 25
HIGH IN MAC RANKINGS: INDIV. SINGLE GAME
Batting
Name Rank Stat Figure Opp.
B. Jellison T1st Hits 4 Pitt (2/14)
H. Travis T1st HR 2 Pitt (2/14)
C. Vance 1st 2B 2 Pitt (2/14)
L. Hugo T1st 3B 1 Pitt (2/15)
J. Hale T1st SB 1 Pitt (2/14)
J. Hale T1st AB 6 Pitt (2/14)
C. Vance T2nd Runs 2 Pitt (2/14)
C. Vance T2nd TB 8 Pitt (2/14)
L. Hugo T2nd BB 2 Pitt (2/15)
Pitching
Name Rank Stat Figure Opp.
T. Kapa 1st SO 9 Pitt (2/15)
D. Beckner T3rd IP 5.0 Pitt (2/14)
N. Keane 4th SO 6 Pitt (2/14)
Fielding
Name Rank Stat Figure Opp.
H. Travis T2nd DP 2 Pitt (2/15)
B. Kleiman 4th PO 12 Pitt (2/14)
B. Jellison 4th A 4 Pitt (2/15)
ON THE HORIZON
The Eagles remain on the road for a four-game series against the Blue Hose of Presbyterian College, Friday-Sunday, Feb. 28 - March 2. Saturday will entail a double header while Friday and Sunday will see just one game played.
FOLLOW US
For all things EMU Baseball, be sure to check out the team's social media accounts, including EMU_Baseball on X (formerly Twitter) and emu_baseball on Instagram.
Previously Noted
YEAR TWO UNDER BRITT
Head Coach Robbie Britt enters his second season at the helm of the program in 2025. The 2025 campaign marks Britt's sixth overall season as a collegiate head coach. In 225 career games, Britt posts a 139-86 record and .617 career winning percentage. The Eagles went 14-38 in Britt's first season.
BRITT PRIOR TO EASTERN
Robbie Britt's hiring was announced by EMU, June 16, 2023. A highly-accomplished program leader with four seasons as a Division II head coach, Britt arrived in Ypsilanti after serving as the head coach at the University of Charleston (W. Va.) from 2020-23. Posting a .722 career winning percentage (125-48), he has an extensive coaching resume which includes stops at the NCAA Division I, II, and III ranks along with high school and club baseball. Britt was the head coach at the University of Charleston (W. Va.) from 2020-23. The Maryville, Tenn., native owned the seventh-best winning percentage among active Division II head coaches. He had built the Golden Eagles into a perennial power at the Division II level with three NCAA appearances, three conference regular season championships, and two conference tournament titles. The third-winningest coach in program history, Britt's Charleston teams were dominant at home, posting a 72-14 record (.837 winning percentage) on their own field.
BOBBY JONES: ALL-MAC RETURNER
Eastern returns one All-MAC player in senior right-handed pitcher Bobby Jones. Earning a second-team nod last season, Jones led the team in ERA (6.28), WHIP (1.31), wins (five), innings pitched (86.0), and strikeouts (79), while issuing the second-least amount of walks of any EMU starter (24), and allowing the lowest opposing batting average of all starters (.255). Additionally, Jones' 86.0 innings on the mound ranked as the most in the MAC, while ranking seventh in the conference in opposing batting average, strikeouts, and walks allowed.
PG PRESEASON ALL-MAC
Bobby Jones and Drew Jones were named Preseason First Team All-MAC by Perfect Game. Entering his second season with the Eagles, Drew Jones batted .265 last season with a .730 OPS. He drove in 14 runs, totaled two homers, and 10 multi-hit games. He also walked-off the regular season MAC Champs, Bowling Green, via a two-run double, May 10.
KEY RETURNERS: POSITION PLAYERS
The Eagles return key position players in Giano Zuccaro and Logan Hugo.
Zuccaro averaged .341 from the plate with a .946 OPS, adding 57 hits and 12 doubles along with 30 RBI. His hits, doubles, and triples (two) all ranked as the second-most on the team while playing a clean outfield with a 1.000 fielding percentage and two assists.
Hugo averaged .284 from the dish with a .857 OPS, adding 52 hits and a team-high 10 home runs, totaling 19 extra base hits, along with 30 RBI. Also a threat on the base paths, Hugo led the team with 18 stolen bases on 22 attempts in 2024, and was second on the squad with 92 total bases.
KEY RETURNERS: PITCHERS
Along with Second Team All-MAC selection Bobby Jones, the Eagles return veteran left-hander Drew Beckner. In 15 total appearances and 10 starts last season, he posted a 6.52 ERA, 1.74 WHIP, held opposing batters to a .262 average, and stuck out 62 while walking 50. In 69 innings of work, Beckner allowed 59 runs (50 earned), 70 hits, and 21 extra-base hits (eight homers).
KEY TRANSFERS: POSITION PLAYERS
Among 17 other transfers, Eastern brings in junior outfielder John Hale and graduate student catcher Harrison Travis.
By way of Motlow State Community College, Hale batted .347 with a .999 OPS and totaled 50 hits, 14 of which went for extra bases while four left the yard. Hale showed discipline at the dish, working 35 walks and striking out just 26 times. He was dangerous on the base paths as well, stealing 18 bases in 24 attempts all while playing a perfect outfield in 90 chances.
Entering his sixth year of collegiate baseball, Travis spent five seasons at Carson-Newman where he earned two SAC Player of the Week Awards and was named Preseason Second Team All-SAC prior to the 2023 season. Most recently in 2024, Travis posted career numbers nearly across the board. He averaged .297 from the plate with a 1.066 OPS while drilling 25 extra-base hits (13 homers, 12 doubles), driving in 39 runs and working 21 walks while striking out 29 times.
KEY TRANSFERS: PITCHERS
The Eagles most notably added right-handers Tyler Kapa and Michael Pfeiffer from the portal.
Kapa made the move up to Division I from Davenport University (Mich.). In 2024, Kapa had 19 appearances, all in relief, posting a 5.17 ERA and holding opposing batters to a .230 average. In 15.2 innings of work, he struck out 28 while walking 17 and allowed 14 hits, just four of which went for extra bases (two doubles, one triple, one homer).
Pfeiffer made the move to Eastern from Alabama JuCo, Northwest Shoals Community College. Last season as a sophomore, he had 14 appearances, posted a 4-3 record, totaled 75 innings on the mound with a 3.72 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, struck out 66 while walking 25 for an average of 7.92 strikeouts per game, allowed 31 earned runs, and gave up 69 hits with just three going for extra bases (three home runs).
KEY FRESHMAN
EMU brings in 10 freshmen this season. Infielder Connor Walsh stands out among other position players. In his senior season at Mattawan High School, Walsh was named First Team All-SMAC, All-District Division I, First Team All-State, and was selected to the Michigan High School Baseball Association Dream Team. As a senior, he batted .462 with a 1.094 OPS, had 48 hits, 24 RBI, and 36 runs, while working 17 walks and striking out just eight times while stealing 15 bases. He also earned three All-SMAC honors as a basketball player and graduated Summa Cum laude.
Fischer Hendershot is a notable addition on the mound. He was an all-conference, all-region, and academic all-state athlete in his high school career. His Flint Powers Catholic Chargers won the Saginaw Valley Conference and Division II State Championship in 2024. Additionally, Hendershot pitched a five-inning shutout in the state title game.
THE SEASON AHEAD
Throughout the 49 game season, the Eagles will play three neutral site games, 28 road contests, and 16 home games. Eastern will compete in eight different states including Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and South Carolina. Outside of its MAC opponents, Eastern will face teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference, Atlantic Sun Conference, America East Conference, Big South Conference, Big Ten Conference, and the Horizon League.
NEWCOMERS
The Eagles are welcoming 27 new players to the roster for the 2025 season. EMU welcomes 10 Freshmen and 17 transfers to the team.
The freshmen include: Tyler Yudess, Connor Walsh, Anthony Hutter, Michael Ciavolella, Henry Slaby, Ethan LaPointe, Colin Milligan, Jayden Bailey, Fischer Hendershot, and Cal Rutherford.
Transfers include: Keegan Martin, Nick Keane, Bruce Jellison, Devan Zirwas, Eric Boothe, John Hale, DJ Morand, Ben Schechterman, Harrison Travis, Ty Stecko, Michael Pfeiffer, Drew Norris, Eli Henderson, Kevin Krill, Tyler Kapa, Emmett Gillies, and Ethan Davis.
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Friday, May 23
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