Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
9-8, 5-1
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Western Michigan
1-16, 1-5
Baseball Earns Second Straight MAC Series Win, Run-Rules Western Michigan in Series Finale, 17-3
3/15/2025 4:10:00 PM | Baseball
Eastern is off to a 5-1 start to MAC play for the first time since 2008, the last time Eastern won the MAC Tournament
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball team earned its second consecutive Mid-American Conference (MAC) series win to start MAC play as well as a rivalry series win over Western Michigan University, capturing the series finale via a run-ruling performance as it topped the Broncos, 17-3, Saturday, March 15, at Robert J. Bobb Stadium.
The win continued Eastern's strong start to MAC play, as it posts a 5-1 record in conference action for the first time since the 2008 season, which is the last time the Eagles won the MAC Tournament. The series win also marked a victory in the first leg of the Michigan MAC Championship, as the Eagles are looking to repeat as Michigan MAC Champions for the first time in program history this season.
The game served as Eastern's strongest offensive output of the season as it set season highs in runs (17), hits (17), RBI (16), home runs (four), batting average (.459) and hit by pitch (six). It also tied a season best with three stolen bases.
Offensively, EMU was led by Brendan Kleiman (Olney, Md./Sherwood/Frederick C.C.) who tied a career best with four hits and two doubles as he went 4-for-5 from the plate with three RBI and two runs.
Senior righty Bobby Jones (Loveland, Ohio/St. Xavier/Xavier) (1-1) earned the win on the mound, his first of the season, as the 6-foot-5 hurler went 5.2 innings, allowed three runs (two earned) off six hits, while striking out three, and walking two.
Zach Vriesenga (0-2) was tabbed with the loss for the Broncos.
How it Happened
Junior infielder Devan Zirwas (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny/VCU) opened the scoring with a no-doubter solo-shot to right field in the first, putting the Eagles up 1-0 via his fourth home run of the season.
The Eastern offense popped off for six runs in the third inning to take a commanding six-run lead at 7-1 into the home half of the inning. Zirwas scored two more Eagles with a single through the right side before Kleiman doubled in his second consecutive at-bat to send two Eastern baserunners home. Cooper Vance (New Waterford, Ohio/Mohawk) capped the scoring in the inning, driving in Kleiman and Ben Schechterman (Aurora, Ohio/Aurora/Ohio State) to put the Green and White up 7-1 and continue his strong series at the plate.
Jones retired the Broncos in order in the fourth inning before Eastern added seven runs in the ensuing half inning as John Hale (Ashland City, Tenn./Sycamore/Motlow State C.C.) stepped to the plate and hit a grand slam to increase the Eastern lead to 10 at 11-1. The Eagles added three more runs in the frame with RBI singles from Bruce Jellison (Hartland, Mich./Hartland/Wabash Valley) and Kleiman, along with a Schechterman RBI double.
Eastern scored three runs in the sixth, headlined by solo homers from Logan Hugo (Essexville, Mich./Essexville) and Jellison to bring the Eagles' home run total to four on the day, their most in a single game this season.
Jones was relieved by sophomore righty Jack Topolski (Seven Hills, Ohio/Holy Name) in the sixth. He went 5.2 innings into the game, allowing two earned runs, off six hits, while striking out three, and walking two.
Topolski was relieved for Emmett Gillies (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley/Akron) who made his EMU debut to get the final out of the game as it ended in a 17-3 Eastern Michigan win in seven innings due to the 10-run rule.
The game marked the first Michigan MAC rivalry series. After the series win, the Eagles need to win the upcoming series against Central Michigan, May 9-11, to capture the Michigan MAC Championship for the second consecutive season.
Game Notes
» Eastern's record improved to 9-8 (5-1 MAC) while Western Michigan's shifted to 1-16 (1-5 MAC). Through six conference games, the Eagles stand fourth in the MAC with a 5-1 record and .833 winning percentage while WMU slots ninth with a 1-5 record and .167 winning percentage.
» Eastern set season highs in runs (17), hits (17), RBI (16), home runs (four), batting average (.459) and hit by pitch (six). It also tied a season best with three stolen bases. The Eagles' four homers and six hit by pitch both stand as the second most in a single game in the MAC this season, while their hits and total bases (32) sum are the third most.
» The run-rule win is Eastern's first of the season, fourth in the Head Coach Robbie Britt era (2024-present), and first since the Eagles run ruled the Michigan Wolverines in seven innings (14-4) in last season's home opener, March 19, 2024.
» Every Eastern Michigan starter reached base safely in the win.
» Eastern's 16 RBI brought its total to 128 on the season, ranking the Eagles first in the MAC. EMU's 17 runs elevated its sum to 139, also standing first in the conference.
» Eastern posted its fourth game with double-digit runs, hits, and RBI. It is undefeated when reaching the double figure mark in each category this season.
» The win marked Eastern's ninth of the season. Last season they did not capture their ninth win until March 24, which was also a win over Western Michigan.
» The Eagles out-hit their opponent (17-6) for the 13th time this season. They are 9-4 when doing so. They also recorded double-digit hits for the 12th time, producing an 8-4 record when hitting the 10-hit mark. Eastern has recorded 10+ hits in 12-of-17 contests in 2025.
» Hale hit a grand slam for the first time in his NCAA Division I career, marking his second home run of the season. He set a career high with all four RBI coming off his grand swing of the bat.
» Zirwas' recorded his fourth homer of the season with a solo shot in the first. His four homers tie Hugo and Harrison Travis (Soddy Daisy, Tenn./Soddy Daisy/Carson-Newman) for the team lead. Overall, Eastern stands third in the MAC with 23 home runs. Zirwas also recorded his team-best sixth game with multiple RBI.
» Kleiman tied career highs with four hits and two doubles. His four hits, two doubles, and three RBI mark season highs for the senior catcher. He secured his sixth multi-hit game and third with multiple RBI this season.
» Jellison reached base for the 14th consecutive game. His streak stands as the team's longest streak of reaching base this season.
» Hugo extended his hitting streak to eight games, currently serving as the longest on the team. He went 3-for-5 from the plate with one RBI and one walk. His three hits brought his total to 27 on the year, a number that paces the MAC.
» Eastern Michigan pitchers limited Western Michigan to just 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
» Eastern Michigan pitchers faced 31 Western Michigan hitters in the game, garnering outs via seven ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out three.
» Jones earned his first win on the mound this season.
» Topolski pitched his second scoreless outing of the season.
Historical Notes
» Eastern is off to its first 5-1 start in MAC play since 2008. That season, it finished 14-8 in conference play, won the MAC West Division, and the MAC Tournament. They lost both NCAA Regional games to Arizona, May 30 (13-7), and Kentucky, May 31 (4-3).
» The Eagles won by 14 runs, marking the largest margin of victory in the Britt era (2024-present), and the largest since Eastern beat the Broncos by 16 runs (21-5) in seven innings in the 2023 season, April 11.
» The game captured the fourth consecutive series win over the Broncos, the Eagles' most consecutive since they won seven straight series against WMU from 2007-13.
» Eastern posted 16 RBI and 17 runs. Its 16 RBI are the most in the Britt era and most since it drove in 17 in a 17-8 win at Oakland, May 16, 2023, and Its 17 runs tie for the most under Britt. The Eagles previously scored 17 runs, a 2024 season-high against Oakland in a 20-17 loss, April 9.
» The series finale marked the 198th all-time game against the Broncos. Eastern holds a 99-99 record against its cross-state foe, and a 27-19 record when facing them in Kalamazoo. Eastern is now 8-2 in the last 10 matchups against Western Michigan.
Up Next
The Eagles are set to host their first home series of the season when they welcome the Miami RedHawks to Oestrike Stadium for a three-game conference set Friday-Sunday, March 21-23. All three games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
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.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Jones, Bobby (1-1)
L: VRIESENGA, Zach (0-2)
Batting:
2B: Kleiman, Brendan 2 ; Schechterman, Ben 1
HR: Hale, John 1 ; Hugo, Logan 1 ; Zirwas, Devan 1 ; Jellison, Bruce 1
RBI: Hale, John 4 ; Hugo, Logan 1 ; Zirwas, Devan 3 ; Jellison, Bruce 2 ; Kleiman, Brendan 3 ; Schechterman, Ben 1 ; Vance, Cooper 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Hale, John 2 ; Hugo, Logan 3 ; Zirwas, Devan 2 ; Jellison, Bruce 2 ; Zuccaro, Giano 1 ; Stecko, Ty 1 ; Kleiman, Brendan 2 ; Schechterman, Ben 2 ; Vance, Cooper 2
SB: Hugo, Logan 2 ; Zirwas, Devan 1
CS: Hale, John 1
HBP: Hale, John 1 ; Zirwas, Devan 1 ; Jellison, Bruce 1 ; Schechterman, Ben 1 ; Jones, Drew 1 ; Vance, Cooper 1
PO: Vance, Cooper 1
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Batting:
2B: HUMS, Cooper 1
HR: NEVAR, Dylan 1
RBI: NEVAR, Dylan 1 ; THIELMAN, Avery 1
Base Running:
RUNS: MALLY, Tanner 1 ; NEVAR, Dylan 1 ; HUMS, Cooper 1
HBP: AKERS, Chris 1
