Baseball Preps for Key MAC Series at Bowling Green Friday-Sunday

Eastern Michigan Baseball at Bowling Green
Date	Friday-Sunday \| April 25-27
Venue	Steller Field \| Bowling Green, Ohio
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Media Guide
Live Stats	EMUEagles.com/sidearmstats/baseball/summary
Watch Live	Game 3
Listen Live	Game 1
Social Media	X: @EMU _Baseball \| @EMUAthletics IG: @emu_baseball \| @emuathletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – With four Mid-American Conference (MAC) series remaining, the Eastern Michigan University baseball team is slated for a key three-game weekend set against the defending MAC Regular Season Champions, Bowling Green State University Friday-Sunday, April 25-27, at Steller Field, in Bowling Green, Ohio. Game one will start at 3 p.m. Friday while games two and three will start at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Eastern enters the week standing fifth in the MAC with a 9-9 conference record (17-18 overall), is coming off a 14-4 run-ruling victory over the Youngstown State Penguins, April 22, and is looking for its fourth MAC series win of the season. The Falcons come in slotting fourth in the conference with a 13-8 MAC mark (25-14 overall) and most recently fell to the Michigan Wolverines, 9-2, in a midweek non-conference contest, April 22.

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.

ON THE AIR
Greg Steiner and Elena Davis will have the call live on Eagle All-Access and The Varsity Network for game one, while game three will be broadcasted live on ESPN+.

ALL-TIME AGAINST BGSU
The Eagles and Falcons will meet for the 192nd-194th time this weekend. Overall, the Eagles lead the all-time series with a 112-79 record versus BGSU, and a 18-11 mark when facing it in Bowling Green. The Eagles are looking for their first series win in Bowling Green since they swept the Falcons in a four-game set in the 2021 season, May 7-8, and their first series win over the Falcons in general since they took 3-of-4 from them at home in 2022, April 29-May 1. It's been a back-and-forth series in recent years as the two teams have split the last ten games, going an even 5-5. EMU's longest winning streak against BGSU since 1999 was six games from 2019-22, and its longest skid was three games from 1999-2000.

LAST TIME AGAINST BGSU
Bowling Green took 2-of-3 games from Eastern at Oestrike Stadium last season, May 10-12, and secured the MAC Regular Season title with an 8-6 win in the series finale, May 12. Eastern took game one in walk-off fashion courtesy of Drew Jones' two-run double in the bottom of the ninth to secure the 10-9 win, marking EMU's third walk-off win of the season. Former Eagle Cory Taylor recorded his 100th hit in the series-finale as well, while Niko Kreuzer struck out a career-best five and allowed just one earned run in 3.2 innings of work in game two.

LAST TIME OUT: VS. YOUNGSTOWN STATE, APRIL 22
Eastern is coming off a 14-4 run-ruling win at home over Youngstown State, April 22. The EMU offense was paced by Harrison Travis, who went 3-for-5 from the plate with an NCAA Division I career-best five RBI and one grand slam, his seventh home run of the season. The Eagles got off to a 14-0 lead via three home runs through the first four innings and didn't look back as junior right-hander Nick Keane (1-0) earned the first win of his NCAA Division I career, entering the game in the fifth inning and tossing a scoreless frame with two strikeouts.

MAC TOURNAMENT PREVIEW?
Currently, the Eagles slot fifth in the MAC, qualifying them for the MAC Tournament for the first time since the 2018 season. Entering Friday, they would be paired with the four seed in the first round, which is currently occupied by Bowling Green. EMU and BGSU have met just once prior in the conference tournament as they secured an 11-4 win over the Falcons en route to winning the tournament in the 2008 season, EMU's last MAC Tournament Championship. Overall, EMU is 37-25 in the MAC Tournament, has won four of them (1981, 1982, 2003, 2008), and finished as the runner-up three times (2004, 2007, 2017).

SLAMMIN' EAGS
The Eagles excel in hitting grand slams as they have hit five this season with Harrison Travis recording the Eagles' fifth in the 14-4 run-ruling win over YSU, April 22. EMU's five grand slams are its most since at least the 2018 season, and stand three short of tying for the sixth-most in NCAA Division I history in terms of value. Should they reach eight grand slams, EMU would be the seventh team in NCAA history to do so in a season. It would also be the only MAC team on the list.

KAPA PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Tyler Kapa was named MAC Co-Pitcher of the Week, April 21. He struck out a MAC-high and career-best 11 batters without allowing a run for the first time in his NCAA Division I career, giving up a Division I career-low one hit, and walking two in the Eagles' 9-7 series-clinching win over Albany, April 19. He also tied a Division I career long outing with six innings pitched. Kapa was especially lethal with runners on base as he held the Great Danes' hitless (0-for-8) and excelled in ending innings, limiting Albany to a .143 (1-for-7) clip with two outs. Kapa's performance is the first instance of an EMU pitcher striking out 11 without allowing a run since current Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh Pirates Double-A Affiliate) pitcher Justin Meis punched out 11 without allowing a run off two hits and one walk in a 13-2 win over St. Bonaventure, May 1, 2021.

PLAYERS/PITCHERS OF THE WEEK
Eastern has earned four MAC Weekly Honors, doubling the two it had last season. Most recently, Tyler Kapa was named MAC Pitcher of the Week, April 21. The honor marked the Eagles' fourth player of the week award of the season as Logan Hugo (Feb. 25) and Devan Zirwas (March 4) previously earned the recognition as position players, and Drew Beckner was named MAC Pitcher of the Week, April 14.

After Beckner's pitcher of the week nod, April 14, and Kapa's, April 21, the Eagles' have earned consecutive MAC Pitcher of the Week awards for the first time since the 2017 season when Brad Allen won it, March 27, followed by Brent Mattson the next week, April 3.

CONSECUTIVE POTW AWARDS
Eastern is one of three MAC schools to earn consecutive player/pitcher of the week honors, and the only school in the conference to do so for both the player and pitcher of the week award. Logan Hugo and Devan Zirwas won the player of the week award in consecutive weeks, Feb. 25, March 1, while Drew Beckner and Tyler Kapa recently won back-to-back pitcher of the week honors, April 14, April 21.

BECKNER & KAPA: MAC'S 1 & 2 IN Ks
Pitchers Drew Beckner and Tyler Kapa rank one and two in the MAC in strikeouts, as Beckner posts 60 and Kapa has 59. The duo is the only in the conference from the same school to rank inside the top five in strikeouts. Eastern is also the only school in the conference with two pitchers above 55 strikeouts on the season.

BECKNER PUNCH OUTS
Drew Beckner has recorded at least eight strikeouts in three consecutive outings. He is the first EMU pitcher to do so since Sam Delaplane (10, 8, 12) did in the 2017 season, March 31-April 14, posting 30 strikeouts total in the three starts. Beckner struck out eight in his start against Ball State, April 4, eight against Toledo, April 11, and 10 at Albany, April 17, for a total of 26 strikeouts in his last three outings.

COMPLETE GAME
Eastern posted double-digit runs (15), hits (13), RBI (15) , walks (offensive) (12), and strikeouts (pitching) (15) in the same game for the first time in 21 years. The Eagles last accomplished the feat against the NCAA Division II Wayne State Warriors, March 22, 2004. Eastern recorded 13 runs, 11 hits, 10 RBI, 10 walks (offensive), and 10 strikeouts (pitching) enroute to a 13-3 win. Additionally, the walks and strikeouts totals marked the most in the Head Coach Robbie Britt era.

NOTABLES FROM WIN AT MICHIGAN
Eastern's 9-8 win over Michigan, March 25, marked its first true road win over a "Power Four" program since it bested the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 6-5, to secure a series win, March 11, 2018. The result marked the first time that Eastern Michigan defeated a Big Ten Conference team on the road since it beat Ohio State, April 12, 2017. Eastern also picked up its first win in Ann Arbor since April 15, 2015, ending an eight-game losing streak in the city.

MULTIPLE P4 WINS FOR BRITT
With two wins over Michigan in his first two seasons as head coach, Robbie Britt became the fourth head coach in program history to earn multiple "power four" wins in his first two seasons at the helm of the program. Roger Coryell won five from 1989-90, Jay Alexander won six from 2009-10, and Mark Van Ameyde won four from 2015-16.

DREW BECKNER: MAC PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Senior left-hander Drew Beckner was named MAC Pitcher of the Week for the first time in his career, April 14. He pitched a gem in his start against the Toledo Rockets, April 11. Beckner tied what used to be a career high with eight strikeouts for the third time this season and second consecutive game, as he didn't allow an earned run, pitched 6.2 innings, and held opposing batters to a .174 average. His eight strikeouts rank as the fourth-most in a game in the MAC and the most strikeouts from a single pitcher from April 11-13. Beckner also held strong with runners on base, limiting his opposition to a .200 clip (2-for-10). Furthermore, the zero earned run start marked the first of Beckner's NCAA Division I career.

The honor marked the first of Beckner's career and the Eagles' third player of the week award of the season as Logan Hugo (Feb. 25) and Devan Zirwas (March 4) previously earned the recognition as position players.

Furthermore, Beckner was the first Eastern pitcher to garner the accolade since current pitching development assistant Nick Chittum earned the honor after pitching a complete game shutout against Western Michigan in the second game of a doubleheader, March 24, 2024.

POTENT OFFENSE
Through 35 games, the Eagles offense ranks inside the MAC top five in nine categories, including pacing the MAC with the fewest strikeouts, as they have gone down on strikes just 254 times, 21 fewer than the second-least strikeout total (Western Michigan - 275).

Stat                        Figure          MAC Rnk.
Strikeouts (Least) 254               1st
Runs Per Game     8.0                2nd
Ks Per Nine            8.9                2nd
On-Base %             0.407           3rd
Hit By Pitch            71                3rd
Average                 .296             4th
RBI                          262              4th
Home Runs            44                5th
Slugging %             .467             5th

PITCHING RANKINGS
Eastern pitching ranks inside the top five in the conference in value in seven categories.

Stat                        Figure          MAC Rnk.
Homers Allowed   35                1st
At-Bats                   1,207           2nd
Hits Allowed          354              3rd
Doubles Allowed   71                T4th
Saves                      8                   T4th
Wins                       17                T5th
Triples Allowed     10                5th

CARDIAC EAGLES
Eastern has four comeback wins when trailing by at least three runs this season, surpassing the three it had in the 2024 campaign. Two of the four comeback wins have come in the ninth inning with the Eagles putting up eight runs in the frame for the victory. Eastern trailed Western Michigan, 7-2, entering the ninth, March 14, before putting up eight runs to win, 10-8. The Eagles accomplished the feat again in a 9-5 win over Ohio, March 29, as they entered the ninth down, 5-1, and rattled off eight to secure the 9-5 victory.

AHEAD OF SCHEDULE (2024 WIN TOTAL)
The Eagles won 14 games in Robbie Britt's first season last year. Thirty-five games into the 2025 campaign, the Eagles have already surpassed that total with 17 wins. They have also matched their 2024-win total when it comes to conference play, as their win over Toledo, April 11, marked their ninth in the MAC. One win over BGSU this weekend would exceed the Eagles' conference-win total from last season.

EMU posted 13 wins in its first 35 games last season, eight of which came in conference play.

OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION
The Eagles exploded for a season-best offensive performance in game three against the RedHawks, March 22. Eastern set season highs in runs (19) and RBI (18), while also knocking 18 hits and drawing 11 walks, both of which are its second-highest total of the season. Eastern Michigan's 19 runs and 18 RBI stand as the sixth-most in a single game in the MAC, while its five doubles are the third most and hits and walks are the fifth-most. Its runs and RBI total all serve as the most in the Robbie Britt era.

Eastern's bats particularly popped off in the second inning, scoring nine runs. Its nine runs that inning are the most under Britt and the most since Eastern plated 10 against Toledo, May 4, 2021.

Eastern nearly matched that performance in its 18-13 win over Ohio, March 29. It tied a season best with 18 RBI while setting a season best with 19 hits.

BETTER THAN PROJECTED
The Eagles were predicted to finish 10th in the conference in the MAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. They have soared past that prediction, as they currently stand fifth in the conference with a 9-9 MAC record.

HUGO CAREER DAY
Senior outfielder Logan Hugo had a career day in the 19-12 win over the RedHawks, March 22. Hugo went 5-for-6 from the plate with two home runs, two doubles, six RBI, and three runs. His five hits, two home runs, and six RBI all marked career-highs. The five hits - and 13 total bases stand as the most from an individual in the MAC this season while his two home runs stand as the second-most, and six RBI rank as the fourth-most in the conference.

BIG FISCH IN A LITTLE POND
Freshman right-hander Fischer Hendershot has the most saves of any freshman in the MAC - as he ranks second on the team and fifth in the conference in terms of value with three behind Ethan Davis' four. Hendershot's three saves are the most from an Eastern freshman since Thomas House recorded four in his freshman campaign in 2018. He most recently earned a save in the Eagle's 9-7 win over Albany, April 19, as he got the final out of the game.

BEATING THE TOURNEY CHAMPS PT. 2
For the second straight season, Eastern Michigan has beat the reigning MAC Tournament Champion in a series. Eastern 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 its lone match up of the season in 2008 to clinch the MAC Tournament Championship.

TEAM TRIPLE DOUBLES
The Eagles have reached double-digit marks in runs, hits, and RBI 10 times this season. They hold a 9-1 record in such games. Most recently, Eastern posted 10+ in each category in the 14-4 run-ruling win over Youngstown State, April 22. Eastern scored 14 runs off 10 hits with 14 RBI.

LIMITING POWER
Eastern pitching has allowed 116 extra-base hits (XBH) this season, tying with Toledo for the second-fewest in the conference. Kent State has allowed the fewest with 114. Eastern's opponent this weekend, BGSU, has allowed the second most in the MAC at 153 XBH.

IMPROVED DEFENSE
After tallying the MAC's worst fielding clip in 2024 (0.958), EMU appears to be significantly improved defensively as it currently posts a 0.968 clip in the field, standing fifth in the MAC and as a one percent improvement from 2024-25. EMU has committed the fourth-fewest errors in the MAC, posting 39 mishandles in 35 games this season. Last season, the Eagles had 43 errors through 35 games.

HUGO BREAKOUT SEASON
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. Hugo is currently posting career highs in batting average (.317), slugging (.612), and OPS (1.041).

His 12 doubles, 42 RBI, and 25 walks mark career highs, while his home runs (nine) are one away from tying his career high set in 2024 (10). Hugo needs six more runs to equal his career high of 39 (2024), eight more hits to tie his career best of 52 (2024), and five stolen bases to match his career high of 18 (2024).

KINGS OF THE FIFTH
The Eagles have thrived in the fifth inning, scoring roughly 22-percent of their total runs (281) in the frame as they have scored 61 runs in the fifth, their highest total in any inning this season and 16 runs more than their second-highest scoring inning (3rd - 45 runs).

DREW BECKNER ON THE BUMP
Senior left hander Drew Beckner has gotten off to a solid start on the mound. Through ten starts (54.2 IP - 5th most in the MAC), he has struck out 60 batters (1st in the MAC) while walking just 25, posts a 3.79 ERA (5th in the MAC), has allowed just 23 earned runs (5th in the MAC), and held opposing batters to a .221 average (4th in the conference). With a 3-1 record on the year, his three wins are tied for the fifth-most in the conference. Expected to make a minimum of four more starts this season, Beckner is on pace to set NCAA Division I career-best marks as a starter in innings pitched (76) and strikeouts (84). He is currently averaging NCAA Division I career-bests in ERA (3.79), WHIP (1.30), and batting average against (.221).

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. 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.

KAPA's Ks
Senior right-hander Tyler Kapa has demonstrated high strike-throwing ability in ten appearances this season. He has sat down a total of 59 batters, good for the second-most in the conference. Kapa's 11 strikeouts at Albany, April 19 stand as the most in a single game in the MAC this season and a Division I career high for the Waterford, Mich., native. He also struck out nine two other times this season, making him the only pitcher in the MAC to fan at least nine batters on three different occasions.

STRONG IN THE NINTH
Eastern has allowed just 16 runs in the ninth inning, its least amount of runs allowed in any inning this season. The 16 runs allowed in the ninth account for just 5.6 percent of its total runs allowed (281).

UPCOMING MILESTONES
Drew Beckner recently reached the 200 strikeouts milestone with his eight against Ball State, April 4. He currently has 219 in his career. Cooper Vance is 14 hits away from reaching 100 in his career. Giano Zuccaro is 19 hits away from reaching the 200 mark, two home runs away from posting 20 in his career, and seven doubles from 50. Brendan Kleiman needs 16 knocks to reach 100 in his NCAA career.

IMPORTANCE OF THE SIXTH
The sixth inning has provided insight on whether the Eagles will win or lose the game. When leading after six innings, Eastern posts a 12-3 record. Conversely, when trailing after six, EMU is 2-13. EMU earned its 12th win of the season when leading after six innings against Youngstown State, April 22, as it concluded the sixth with a 14-4 advantage and won the game by the same score. Most recently, the Eagles came back to win for the second time after being down after six innings against Ohio, March 29. Eastern concluded the sixth inning in the first game of the doubleheader that day trailing, 5-1, and came back to win, 9-5.

ONE WEEK, TWO SAVES
Junior right hander Ethan Davis had a strong week as he earned one save in both of his 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' four saves lead the Eagles and stand as the fourth-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 35 games has doubled its save total from last season.

ZIRWAS MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Devan Zirwas earned the first conference player of the week award of his career, March 4, and the Eagles' second consecutive as 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), while 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 excelling after seeing just 48 at-bats in his redshirt freshman season at VCU in 2024. He has set career highs in at-bats (138), runs (32), hits (46), doubles (13), home runs (seven), RBI (41), total bases (82), walks (19), and stolen bases (two). He is also posting career best numbers in average (.333) and OPS (1.020). Zirwas has also improved his discipline at the plate as he struck out in 30 percent of his at-bats in 2024 and currently strikes out just 19.5 percent of the time this season.

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 173 pitchers nationally and seven 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 32nd in the nation with his one complete game.

ON THE HORIZON
Eastern returns home for a three-game MAC series against Northern Illinois Friday-Saturday, May 2-4. Admission to Oestrike Stadium is free and all three games can 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.

Baseball Preps for Key MAC Series at Bowling Green Friday-Sunday

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Players Mentioned

Drew Beckner

Nick Chittum

Ethan Davis

Fischer Hendershot

Logan Hugo

Bobby Jones

Drew Jones

Tyler Kapa

Nick Keane

Brendan Kleiman

Niko Kreuzer

Cory Taylor

Harrison Travis

Cooper Vance

Devan Zirwas

Giano Zuccaro

Eastern Michigan Athletics