Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, March 21
Ypsilanti, Mich.
1 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
9-9, 0
11
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14
Miami
11-10, 0
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5
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9
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Miami
3
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0
8
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14
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Eastern Michigan
3
1
0
0
0
1
6
0
0
11
14
2
Photo by: Scott Beaton - EMU Athletics
Baseball Drops Home-Opening Doubleheader to Miami
3/21/2025 10:00:00 PM | Baseball
Zirwas drove in seven runs total including a career-high five RBI in game two
Photo Gallery
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball team opened the home portion of its 2025 schedule dropping both games of a doubleheader against the Miami University in Mid-American Conference action Friday, March 21, at Oestrike Stadium.
With the results, Eastern Michigan drops to 9-10 (5-3 MAC) on the season while Miami improves to 11-10 (7-1 MAC).
Junior infielder Devan Zirwas (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny/VCU) was a bright spot, driving in seven runs on the day including a career-high five in game two.
How it Happened – Game One
Miami's offense got the scoring started, it scored three runs in the first inning on a three-run home run to grab the early lead, 3-0. Eastern Michigan would score one run of its own in the first inning on a double off the bat of Bruce Jellison (Hartland, Mich./Hartland/Wabash Valley) to cut the deficit to two runs at 3-1. The Eagles tied the score at three after Ty Stecko (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin/Mount St. Mary's) sent a ball over the center field fence for a two-run shot.
The RedHawks would come right back to score two runs in the second inning to make it 5-3 on a two-run homer. Eastern scored one run in the bottom of the second on an RBI single by Zirwas to make the score 5-4.
More runs were added by the RedHawks in the third inning, getting in one run to make the game 6-4. EMU starting pitcher Drew Beckner (Westerville, Ohio/Big Walnut/Charleston) was relieved by DJ Morand (Wilmette, Ill./Loyola Academy/Xavier/Iowa Western C.C.) after four innings. Miami proceeded to hit two grand slams and furthered its lead to 14-4 after five innings.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Stecko would hit his second home run of the day to cut Eastern's deficit to 14-5. EMU mounted a comeback, scoring six runs in the seventh inning partially thanks to singles from Brendan Kleiman (Olney, Md./Sherwood/Frederick C.C.), Harrison Travis (Soddy Daisy, Tenn./Soddy Daisy/Carson-Newman) and Connor Walsh (Mattawan, Mich./Mattwan) to make the game 14-10. EMU scored one more run on a sacrifice groundout from John Hale (Ashland City, Tenn./Sycamore/Motlow State C.C.) to make it 14-11.
The game ended in a 14-11 win for Miami.
How it Happened – Game Two
Just like game one, Miami started the scoring in game two on a single to make the game 1-0. EMU came right back on a single from Zirwas to tie things up at one in the home half of the frame.
In the second, EMU took the lead when Kevin Krill (White Lake, Mich./Lakeland Oakland/Kalamazoo Valley C.C.) sent one over the fence to make it 2-1. Miami came right back and tied the game at two in the top of the third inning.
The RedHawks would score two more runs in the third inning to get a 4-2 cushion over Eastern. Starting pitcher Tyler Kapa (Waterford, Mich./Kettering Alma/ Mott C.C./Davenport) was then relieved by junior righty Nick Keane (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin/Frederick C.C.). Miami added three more runs to make it 7-2 in the third, and ended the inning with an 11-2 advantage.
In the bottom of the third, Zirwas hit a three-run shot, his fifth of the season, to cut Miami's lead to 11-5. As a result of the home run, EMU scored in each of the first three innings of the contest. Miami added to its total, scoring four runs in the fifth inning and three in the sixth, increasing its lead to 18-5
In the bottom of the sixth, Eastern added one run off a Logan Hugo (Essexville, Mich./Essexville Garber) fielder's choice, which scored the Eagles' sixth run of the game. Zirwas' third hit and fifth RBI of the game made it 18-7 after six.
The game ended in an 18-7 win for Miami in seven innings.
Game Notes – Game One
» With the loss, Eastern's record fell to 9-9 on the season and 5-2 in conference play, while Miami's improved to 10-10 (6-1 MAC).
» Jellison's double was his fourth extra-base hit of the season. The infielder now holds a season batting average of .357.
» Stecko's home runs were his fourth and fifth dingers of the season. He now leads the team with five home runs for 2025. His multi-homer game was the first of his career. It additionally is just the second time this season in which an EMU player has hit multiple home runs in a game, with Travis doing so against Pitt, Feb. 15.
» Stecko additionally drove in three runs and has eight RBI on the season. It is the second time in three games he has driven multiple runs. His three RBI are an EMU career-high for the utility man.
» Zirwas finished the game with two hits as he went 2-for-5 from the dish, scoring two runs, and totaling two RBI. Zirwas leads the team with 21 RBI on the season and has reached base safely in 15 consecutive games.
» Kleiman also had a multi-hit game for EMU, going 2-for-4, scoring one run, and recording one RBI. It is his second consecutive multi-hit game and his seventh of the season.
» Cooper Vance (New Waterford, Ohio/Mohawk) had his seventh multi-hit game in 2025 with two hits.
» Cal Rutherford (Canton, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central) had a good game in relief for Eastern Michigan, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings and striking out three batters. The three strikeouts marked a career-high.
» Drew Norris (Leawood, Kan./Blue Valley Utah/Johnson C.C.) retired both batters he faced, marking the first time in five outings this season that he did not allow a runner to reach base.
» The Eagles out-hit their opponent (14-12) for the 13th time this season. They are 8-5 when doing so. They also recorded double-digit hits for the 12th time, producing a 7-5 record when getting to the 10-hit mark.
» Eastern posted its fifth game with at least 10 runs, 10 hits, and 10 RBI this season. It suffered its first loss when having double-digit figures in all three categories, and it now sits at 4-1 on the season in such games.
» Despite the loss, the Eagles scored 11 runs, marking the second consecutive game in which they have scored 10 runs. The last time they did this was April 23 and April 26, 2024, when they scored 11 and 10 runs in losses to Oakland and Miami, respectively.
Game Notes – Game Two
» Krill's home run in the bottom of the second was the first in his Eastern Michigan career. In addition, it is also his first Division I home run. Krill also recorded a walk in the game.
» Zirwas finished the game going 3-for-3, hitting one home run and also knocking in five RBI. The five RBI are a career-high for the left-handed hitting infielder. He is tied for fourth in the MAC with 27 RBI.
» Hugo reached base safely two times in the game. He has reached base safely multiple times this season in all but six games.
» Hale had two walks in the game. It is the third time this season in which he has had multiple walks.
» Emmett Gilles (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley/Akron) pitched two innings in relief for Eastern Michigan, throwing two scoreless innings, allowing no runs and striking out three. It marks the longest he has pitched in one sitting this season.
Up Next
The Eagles and RedHawks will conclude the series Saturday, March 22, at 3 p.m. Fans can stream the game live on Eagle All-Access. Admission is free.
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.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball team opened the home portion of its 2025 schedule dropping both games of a doubleheader against the Miami University in Mid-American Conference action Friday, March 21, at Oestrike Stadium.
With the results, Eastern Michigan drops to 9-10 (5-3 MAC) on the season while Miami improves to 11-10 (7-1 MAC).
Junior infielder Devan Zirwas (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny/VCU) was a bright spot, driving in seven runs on the day including a career-high five in game two.
How it Happened – Game One
Miami's offense got the scoring started, it scored three runs in the first inning on a three-run home run to grab the early lead, 3-0. Eastern Michigan would score one run of its own in the first inning on a double off the bat of Bruce Jellison (Hartland, Mich./Hartland/Wabash Valley) to cut the deficit to two runs at 3-1. The Eagles tied the score at three after Ty Stecko (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin/Mount St. Mary's) sent a ball over the center field fence for a two-run shot.
The RedHawks would come right back to score two runs in the second inning to make it 5-3 on a two-run homer. Eastern scored one run in the bottom of the second on an RBI single by Zirwas to make the score 5-4.
More runs were added by the RedHawks in the third inning, getting in one run to make the game 6-4. EMU starting pitcher Drew Beckner (Westerville, Ohio/Big Walnut/Charleston) was relieved by DJ Morand (Wilmette, Ill./Loyola Academy/Xavier/Iowa Western C.C.) after four innings. Miami proceeded to hit two grand slams and furthered its lead to 14-4 after five innings.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Stecko would hit his second home run of the day to cut Eastern's deficit to 14-5. EMU mounted a comeback, scoring six runs in the seventh inning partially thanks to singles from Brendan Kleiman (Olney, Md./Sherwood/Frederick C.C.), Harrison Travis (Soddy Daisy, Tenn./Soddy Daisy/Carson-Newman) and Connor Walsh (Mattawan, Mich./Mattwan) to make the game 14-10. EMU scored one more run on a sacrifice groundout from John Hale (Ashland City, Tenn./Sycamore/Motlow State C.C.) to make it 14-11.
The game ended in a 14-11 win for Miami.
How it Happened – Game Two
Just like game one, Miami started the scoring in game two on a single to make the game 1-0. EMU came right back on a single from Zirwas to tie things up at one in the home half of the frame.
In the second, EMU took the lead when Kevin Krill (White Lake, Mich./Lakeland Oakland/Kalamazoo Valley C.C.) sent one over the fence to make it 2-1. Miami came right back and tied the game at two in the top of the third inning.
The RedHawks would score two more runs in the third inning to get a 4-2 cushion over Eastern. Starting pitcher Tyler Kapa (Waterford, Mich./Kettering Alma/ Mott C.C./Davenport) was then relieved by junior righty Nick Keane (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin/Frederick C.C.). Miami added three more runs to make it 7-2 in the third, and ended the inning with an 11-2 advantage.
In the bottom of the third, Zirwas hit a three-run shot, his fifth of the season, to cut Miami's lead to 11-5. As a result of the home run, EMU scored in each of the first three innings of the contest. Miami added to its total, scoring four runs in the fifth inning and three in the sixth, increasing its lead to 18-5
In the bottom of the sixth, Eastern added one run off a Logan Hugo (Essexville, Mich./Essexville Garber) fielder's choice, which scored the Eagles' sixth run of the game. Zirwas' third hit and fifth RBI of the game made it 18-7 after six.
The game ended in an 18-7 win for Miami in seven innings.
Game Notes – Game One
» With the loss, Eastern's record fell to 9-9 on the season and 5-2 in conference play, while Miami's improved to 10-10 (6-1 MAC).
» Jellison's double was his fourth extra-base hit of the season. The infielder now holds a season batting average of .357.
» Stecko's home runs were his fourth and fifth dingers of the season. He now leads the team with five home runs for 2025. His multi-homer game was the first of his career. It additionally is just the second time this season in which an EMU player has hit multiple home runs in a game, with Travis doing so against Pitt, Feb. 15.
» Stecko additionally drove in three runs and has eight RBI on the season. It is the second time in three games he has driven multiple runs. His three RBI are an EMU career-high for the utility man.
» Zirwas finished the game with two hits as he went 2-for-5 from the dish, scoring two runs, and totaling two RBI. Zirwas leads the team with 21 RBI on the season and has reached base safely in 15 consecutive games.
» Kleiman also had a multi-hit game for EMU, going 2-for-4, scoring one run, and recording one RBI. It is his second consecutive multi-hit game and his seventh of the season.
» Cooper Vance (New Waterford, Ohio/Mohawk) had his seventh multi-hit game in 2025 with two hits.
» Cal Rutherford (Canton, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central) had a good game in relief for Eastern Michigan, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings and striking out three batters. The three strikeouts marked a career-high.
» Drew Norris (Leawood, Kan./Blue Valley Utah/Johnson C.C.) retired both batters he faced, marking the first time in five outings this season that he did not allow a runner to reach base.
» The Eagles out-hit their opponent (14-12) for the 13th time this season. They are 8-5 when doing so. They also recorded double-digit hits for the 12th time, producing a 7-5 record when getting to the 10-hit mark.
» Eastern posted its fifth game with at least 10 runs, 10 hits, and 10 RBI this season. It suffered its first loss when having double-digit figures in all three categories, and it now sits at 4-1 on the season in such games.
» Despite the loss, the Eagles scored 11 runs, marking the second consecutive game in which they have scored 10 runs. The last time they did this was April 23 and April 26, 2024, when they scored 11 and 10 runs in losses to Oakland and Miami, respectively.
Game Notes – Game Two
» Krill's home run in the bottom of the second was the first in his Eastern Michigan career. In addition, it is also his first Division I home run. Krill also recorded a walk in the game.
» Zirwas finished the game going 3-for-3, hitting one home run and also knocking in five RBI. The five RBI are a career-high for the left-handed hitting infielder. He is tied for fourth in the MAC with 27 RBI.
» Hugo reached base safely two times in the game. He has reached base safely multiple times this season in all but six games.
» Hale had two walks in the game. It is the third time this season in which he has had multiple walks.
» Emmett Gilles (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley/Akron) pitched two innings in relief for Eastern Michigan, throwing two scoreless innings, allowing no runs and striking out three. It marks the longest he has pitched in one sitting this season.
Up Next
The Eagles and RedHawks will conclude the series Saturday, March 22, at 3 p.m. Fans can stream the game live on Eagle All-Access. Admission is free.
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: Cooper Katskee (4-1)
L: Beckner, Drew (2-1)
S: Landon Fulk (2)
Batting:
2B: Ty Batusich 1 ; Evan Appelwick 1 ; Tommy Harrison 1
HR: Anthony Zarlingo 1 ; David Novak 1 ; Evan Appelwick 1 ; Tommy Harrison 1
RBI: Anthony Zarlingo 2 ; David Novak 3 ; Evan Appelwick 4 ; Ryan Novak 1 ; Tommy Harrison 4
SH: Justin Gorski 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Anthony Zarlingo 3 ; Ty Batusich 1 ; David Novak 2 ; Evan Appelwick 3 ; Ryan Novak 1 ; Dominic Krupinski 1 ; Tommy Harrison 2 ; Justin Gorski 1
SB: Anthony Zarlingo 1 ; Justin Gorski 1
HBP: Ty Batusich 1 ; Dominic Krupinski 1
Batting:
2B: Jellison, Bruce 1
HR: Stecko, Ty 2
RBI: Hale, John 1 ; Zirwas, Devan 2 ; Jellison, Bruce 1 ; Stecko, Ty 3 ; Kleiman, Brendan 1 ; Travis, Harrison 2 ; Walsh, Connor 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hale, John 1 ; Zirwas, Devan 2 ; Jellison, Bruce 2 ; Stecko, Ty 3 ; Kleiman, Brendan 1 ; Travis, Harrison 1 ; Walsh, Connor 1
HBP: Hale, John 1 ; Stecko, Ty 1
Game Leaders
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RBI
2
AB
5
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RBI
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4
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H
2
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
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OF
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RHP
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OF/RHP
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UTIL
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RHP
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RHP
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C
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