Baseball Set for Home-Opening Series Against Miami

Miami vs Eastern Michigan Baseball
Date	Friday-Saturday \| March 21-22
Venue	Oestrike Stadium\| Ypsilanti, Mich.
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Media Guide
Live Stats	EMUEagles.com/livestats
Watch Live	Game 1 \| Game 2 \| Game 3
Social Media	X: @EMU _Baseball \| @EMUAthletics IG: @emu_baseball \| @emuathletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – After a 17-game road trip to start the season, the Eastern Michigan University baseball team will return home to the friendly confines of Oestrike Stadium to open the home portion of its 2025 schedule, beginning with a three-game set against Mid-American Conference (MAC) foe Miami University Friday-Saturday, March 21-22. Friday's will entail a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m., with game two starting roughly 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game (approximately 4:30 p.m.). Saturday's series finale will start at 2 p.m.

Eastern enters the game tied for second in the MAC with a 5-1 record (9-8 overall) and is off to its best start in MAC play since 2008. The RedHawks also come in tied for second in the MAC with a 5-1 conference record (10-10 overall).

Fans can follow along using the live stats and watch links that can be accessed on the EMU baseball schedule page here. Also, stay tuned to EMU baseball socials including EMU_Baseball on X, and emu_baseball on Instagram for live in-game updates and additional EMU baseball content.

ALL-TIME AGAINST MIAMI
Eastern and Miami will meet on the diamond for the 134th time Friday. Overall, the Eagles hold a 64-69 all-time record when facing the RedHawks and an 8-13 record when facing them at Oestrike Stadium. Miami has controlled the series as of late, having won six of the previous 10 matchups. Moreover, Eastern Head Coach Robbie Britt is searching for his first win over the RedHawks as the EMU skipper.

LAST TIME VS MIAMI
Eastern was swept in a three-game set against the RedHawks on the road last season, April 26-28. The last time Eastern faced Miami at home was in the 2023 season, April 7-9. Miami took that series 2-1; however, Eastern won 8-1 in the second game, marking its widest margin of victory against the RedHawks since at least the 1999 season.

HOT START TO MAC PLAY
After winning its first two MAC series, Eastern is off to a 5-1 start in MAC play for the first time since 2008, the last time Eastern won the MAC Tournament. The Eagles are seeking their first 6-1 start to MAC play since 2008. EMU started 7-2 that season in MAC play through its first nine conference games. Its last time starting 8-1 in the MAC came in the 2007 season, a year that saw Eastern post a 21-4 record (.840 winning percentage) in conference games, its best conference record in program history (1949-present).

SERIES IN REVIEW: AT WESTERN MICHIGAN, MARCH 14-15
Eastern is coming off its second consecutive MAC series win, as it took 2-of-3 against the Western Michigan Broncos last weekend, March 14-15.

Game One
Entering the ninth inning down 7-2, Eastern mounted a fiery comeback as it plated eight runs in the final frame to come back and win 10-8. Eastern's eight runs in the ninth tied for the most in the Robbie Britt era (2024-present) and are the most in a single frame since it opened a game against Houston Christian with eight runs in the first, eventually winning 14-4, Feb. 29, 2024. Additionally, the five-run comeback marked the largest of the Britt era and the largest since Eastern came back from a 6-0 deficit to defeat the Towson Tigers, 11-6, in 11 innings, March 5, 2023.

Game Two
Western bounced back to win the second game, 14-4. The Eagles struck out just once in the contest, and junior utility man Ty Stecko recorded his third home run of the season and his first game as an Eagle, with multiple RBIs (two).

Game Three
Eastern bounced back in game three to take the series finale, 17-3, in seven innings via the run-rule. The Eagles' 17 runs tied for their most in the Robbie Britt era, while their 16 RBI marked the most since Britt took over before the start of the 2024 season. The 14-run margin of victory marked the largest in the Britt era and the largest since EMU beat Western Michigan by 16 runs (21-5) in seven innings in the 2023 season on April 11.

RECORD IN HOME OPENERS/BRITT IN HOME OPENERS
Since the 1998 season, Eastern has posted a 13-13 record when playing in its home opener. Second-year Head Coach Robbie Britt holds a clean 5-0 record in home openers as a collegiate head coach.

LAST HOME OPENER
The 2024 home opener was a memorable one as the Eagles run-ruled the Michigan Wolverines, 14-4, on March 19. The win marked the first time the Eagles beat a "Power Five" team since they beat Notre Dame University of the Atlantic Coast Conference, 4-2, in San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 22, 2019. The victory also served as the first time the Eagles beat a "Power Five" team by 10 or more runs since May 14, 2013, when they beat up on the Purdue University Boilermakers of the Big Ten Conference, 20-2, in West Lafayette, Ind.

BEATING THE TOURNEY CHAMPS PT. 2
Eastern Michigan has beat the reigning MAC Tournament Champion in a series for the second straight season. Eastern recently bested the reigning tournament champs, Western Michigan, March 14-15, after taking 2-of-3 from Ball State in the 2024 season, March 8-10. Eastern's series win over Western marked the first time it has beaten the reigning MAC Tournament Champion in consecutive seasons since 2007-08. Eastern swept the 2006 MAC Tournament Champions, Ball State, in a three-game slate in the 2007 season, April 20-22, before besting the 2007 tournament champion, Kent State, 12-4, May 24, in their lone matchup of the season in 2008 to clinch the MAC Tournament Championship.

NO STRIKEOUTS
Eastern did not strikeout in its loss to Western Michigan in the second game of a doubleheader, March 14, marking the fewest strikeouts in the Robbie Britt era and the fewest since the Eagles didn't strikeout in a game against Western Michigan, April 23, 2017. Furthermore, Eastern is one of two teams in the MAC not to strikeout in a game this season, as Western Michigan didn't strikeout in its 6-0 shutout at Michigan on March 18.

SEASON HIGHS IN KZOO
In the 17-3 win over WMU, March 15, EMU 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' six hit by pitch that day stands as the second most in a single game in the MAC this season, while their home runs (four) and hits (17) stand as the third most, and total bases sum (32) is the fifth most.

2 STRAIGHT SEASONS WINNING THE FIRST 3 MAC SERIES?
Last weekend's series win over Western Michigan marked the Eagles' first time winning its first two MAC series in three straight seasons since it did so from 2006-08.

Eastern is now looking to win its first three MAC series for the second consecutive season for the first time since 2007-08.

In 2007 EMU swept Bowling Green, 3-0 to start MAC play, March 24-25, before taking 2-of-3 from Buffalo, March 30-31, and sweeping Ohio in a three-game set, April 13-14.

2008 saw Eastern kick off MAC play with a three-game sweep over Miami, March 28-30, before taking 2-of-3 from Akron, April 5-6, and winning a three-game set over Ohio, April 11-13.

A FIRST FOR BRITT
Head Coach Robbie Britt became the first coach in program history to win his first two MAC series in consecutive seasons to start his EMU tenure. After his Eagles triumphed over Ball State, March 8-10, and Western Michigan, March 23-24, last season, Eastern swept Akron to open MAC play in 2025, March 7-9, and grabbed 2-of-3 from Western Michigan last weekend, March 14-15. Britt has the opportunity to continue the trend as he would be the first coach in program history to win the first three MAC series in his first two seasons at the helm of the program should his Eagles win the series over Miami this weekend.

AHEAD OF SCHEDULE (2024 WIN TOTAL)
The Eagles won 14 games in Britt's first season last year. Seventeen games into the 2025 campaign, the Eagles have already reached nine wins, more than half of the 14 they earned in 2024. EMU posted five wins in their first 17 games last season.

HUGO BREAKOUT SEASON
Senior outfielder Logan Hugo is in the midst of a breakout season. After winning the MAC Player of the Week award for the first time in his career, Feb. 25. The 6-foot-2 right-handed bat ranks highly across the MAC as he stands inside the top five in terms of value in doubles (T2nd - eight) and hits (3rd - 27). Hugo is currently posting career highs in batting average (.375), slugging (.681), and OPS (1.127). If he keeps his current doubles pace (0.47 per game), Hugo would end the season with 23 doubles, ranking fourth in program history and the most since 2022 MAC Player of the Year Matt Kirk hit 24 in the 2023 campaign.

DREW BECKNER ON THE BUMP
Senior left-hander Drew Beckner has gotten off to a hot start on the mound. Through five starts (27.1 IP - third most in the MAC), he posts a 2.63 ERA (third in the MAC), has allowed eight earned runs (second in the MAC), 11 total runs (fourth in the MAC), and has held opponents to a .212 batting average (fourth in the conference). With a 2-0 record on the year, his two wins are tied for the third most in the conference. Expected to make a minimum of nine more starts this season, Beckner is on pace to set career-best marks in innings pitched (75.88), strikeouts (75.6). He is currently averaging career-bests in ERA (2.63), and WHIP (1.35).

POTENT OFFENSE
Through 17 games, the Eagles offense is pacing the MAC in average (.311 - stands 40th in the country). Eastern also ranks inside the top five in terms of value in nine categories, including hit by pitch (second - 38 - 48th in the nation), hits (third - 189), slugging percentage (third - .490), runs (fourth - 139), doubles (fourth - 36), triples (fourth - two), RBI (fourth - 128), home runs (fifth - 23), and total bases (fifth - 298). Eastern has also struck out 130 times, the second-fewest in the MAC.

PITCHING RANKINGS
Eastern pitching ranks inside the top five in the conference in value in six categories, including saves (tied for second - five), hits allowed (second least - 166), home runs allowed (third least - 18), triples allowed (third - five), doubles allowed (fourth - 34), and fifth in batting average allowed (fifth - .295).

HUGO MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior outfielder Logan Hugo was named MAC Player of the Week for the first time in his career, Feb. 25. In 13 at-bats, Hugo batted .538 with a 1.000 slugging percentage and 1.600 OPS. He notched seven hits, four of which went for extra bases (three doubles, one homer), while driving in seven runs and totaling 13 bases. The Essexville, Mich., native also worked one walk and one hit-by pitch while going strikeout-free for the week.

Hugo started the week with a 4-for-5 performance from the plate with a MAC single-game high three doubles and four RBI while scoring one run. His four hits that day tie for the second most in the conference in a single game. He then went 1-for-4 from the dish in game two with one home run, two RBI, and two runs scored, before batting 2-for-4 in the series finale, driving in one run.

UPCOMING MILESTONES
Logan Hugo is five RBI away from reaching the century mark in his career. Giano Zuccaro is 24 hits away from reaching the 200 mark, and two home runs away from posting 20 in his career. Pitching-wise, Drew Beckner is 14 strikeouts away from reaching 200, and Tyler Kapa is five from reaching the 100 milestone.

KINGS OF THE FIFTH
The Eagles have thrived in the fifth inning, scoring roughly 33 percent of their runs in the frame as they have scored 46 runs in the fifth, their highest total in any inning this season. Conversely, Eastern has allowed just 12 runs in the fifth inning, accounting for just 9.4 percent of their total runs allowed (128). Most recently, against Western Michigan, March 15, Eastern scored seven runs in the fifth while holding the Broncos scoreless in the home half in the 17-3 win.

ZIRWAS MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Devan Zirwas earned the first conference Player of the Week award of his career, and the Eagles' second consecutive as senior outfielder Logan Hugo won the award the previous week, Feb. 25. Zirwas paced the Eagles in nearly all offensive categories. In 17 at-bats, he batted .529, knocked nine hits, four of which went for extra bases (three doubles, one home run), driving in three runs, and totaling 15 bases.

Zirwas struck out just twice on the week as he posted a 1.411 OPS (.882 slugging, .529 on-base) and played a perfect first base, totaling 28 putouts, three assists, and a 1.000% fielding clip. Zirwas tallied multiple hits in 3-of-4 games on the week, starting the series with a 3-for-5 performance with one run, two doubles, and one RBI, before batting 2-for-3 with one run scored in game two, 1-for-4 with one double in game three, and 3-for-5 in the series finale with one run scored, one home run, and two RBI.

Zirwas is spreading his wings after seeing just 48 at-bats in his redshirt freshman season at VCU in 2024. He has already set career highs in at-bats (65), runs (16), hits (23), doubles (eight), home runs (four), RBI (20), total bases (43), walks (five), stolen bases (one). He is also posting career-best numbers in average (.358) and OPS (1.086). Zirwas has also improved his discipline at the plate as he posted the same number of strikeouts as last season at VCU (15) but has 16 more at-bats.

BIG FISCH IN A LITTLE POND
Freshman right-hander Fischer Hendershot is the only freshman in the MAC with multiple saves this season, as he is tied with Ethan Davis for the team lead with two. Hendershot's two saves are the most from an Eastern freshman since Thomas House recorded four in his freshman campaign in 2018.

ONE WEEK, TWO SAVES
Junior right-hander Ethan Davis had an intense week as he earned one save in both appearances out of the bullpen against Akron, March 7-9. Davis tallied 3.1 innings pitched and allowed just one run while issuing zero walks and striking out two. Davis' two saves lead the Eagles and stand as the third most in the MAC. Furthermore, he is the first Eastern hurler to earn two saves in one week since Trevor House did so in the 2021 season against Toledo in the first game of a doubleheader, May 11, and against Northern Illinois, May 15. Davis plays a large role in the much improved Eastern bullpen that through 17 games already has more saves than it did all of last season.

DEV'S DOUBLES
Junior infielder Devan Zirwas slots second in the MAC and 65th nationally with eight doubles on the year. With at least one two-bagger in seven of his 16 games played this season, the Imperial, Pa. native stands 25th nationally and second in the MAC, averaging 0.50 doubles per game. Zirwas has at least one extra-base hit in 10 of his 16 games this season and has tallied multiple extra-base hits in the same game twice this season. He knocked two doubles in Eastern's 8-2 win over Presbyterian, Feb. 28, and doubled and homered in EMU's 9-2 win at Central Arkansas, Feb. 22.

IMPROVED DEFENSE
After tallying the MAC's worst fielding percentage in 2024 (0.959), the Eagles appear to have significantly improved defensively. They currently post a 0.977 clip in the field, ranking fourth in the MAC and 55th in the nation. Eastern has committed the third-fewest errors in the conference, posting just seven mishandles in 14 games this season. The current rate is a 1.8-percent improvement from 2024 to 2025. Last season, the Eagles had 25 errors through 17 games.

KAPA's Ks
Senior right-hander Tyler Kapa has demonstrated high strike-throwing ability in five starts this season. He has sat down 30 batters, good for the third most in the conference. Kapa's nine strikeouts against Pitt, Feb. 15, stand as the third most in a single game in the MAC this season and a Division I career high for the Waterford, Mich., native. With his nine strikeouts that day, he is the only pitcher in the MAC to strike out at least nine batters in two games this season. Kapa's 12.19 strikeouts per nine innings figure is the best in the conference and ranks 61st in the nation.

KAPA'S COMPLETE GAME
Tyler Kapa pitched a seven-inning complete game against Presbyterian in the first game of a doubleheader, March 1, becoming the first EMU hurler to throw a complete game since his teammate, Bobby Jones threw an eight-inning complete game last season against Northern Illinois (May 16). Kapa is one of 67 pitchers nationally and four in the MAC to have thrown a complete game this season. He allowed seven hits and three earned runs, while striking out nine and walking two. Overall, he is tied for fifth in the nation with his one complete game.

ON THE HORIZON
The Eagles will make the short trip west to Ann Arbor for a non-conference mid-week contest against the Michigan Wolverines Tuesday, March 25. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. from Ray Fisher Stadium. Fans can stream the game live on Big Ten Plus.

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.

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Players Mentioned

Drew Beckner

Ethan Davis

Fischer Hendershot

Logan Hugo

Bobby Jones

Tyler Kapa

Ty Stecko

Devan Zirwas

Giano Zuccaro

Eastern Michigan Athletics