Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, April 26
Bowling Green, OH
12 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
17-19, 9-10
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Bowling Green
26-14, 14-8
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Eastern Michigan
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Bowling Green
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Baseball Drops Saturday Doubleheader at Bowling Green
4/26/2025 8:17:00 PM | Baseball
Giano Zuccaro, Ty Stecko, and Michael Pfeiffer led the Eagles
GAME ONE | EMU 4, BGSU 11
GAME TWO| EMU 9, BGSU 10
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball team was bested by the Bowling Green State University Falcons in a doubleheader Saturday, April 26, as it fell in game one, 11-4, and game two in a heart-breaking walk-off, 10-9, at Steller Field, in Mid-American Conference play.
After the two games, the Eagles' record shifts to 17-20 (9-11 MAC), while Bowling Green's improved to 27-14 (15-8 MAC).
Eastern dropped to sixth in the MAC standings as it remains qualified for the MAC Tournament if the season ended today.
The Eagles offense was led by Giano Zuccaro (Middleburg Heights, Ohio/Berea Midpark/Charleston) in game one as he knocked three extra-base hits including his second home run of the season in a 3-for-4, two-RBI performance from the dish with two runs scored.
The win went to BGSU's Owen Poole (4-3) while freshman right-hander Colin Milligan (Delaware, Ohio/Delaware Hayes) (0-3) was tagged with the loss.
Ty Stecko (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin/Mount St. Mary's) paced the EMU bats in game two, homering for a team-high ninth time and driving in three runs off a 2-for-4 clip. Junior right-hander Michael Pfeiffer (Brownsboro, Ala./Huntsville/Northwest-Shoals C.C.) was a bright spot out of the bullpen, pitching a scoreless outing in a NCAA Division I career-long 4.2 innings pitched.
BGSU's Connar Penrod (4-2) earned the win and Ethan Davis (Brownstown, Ind./Brownstown Central/Marian/Frontier C.C.) (2-2) was credited with the loss.
How it Happened – Game One
The Eagles wasted no time, striking first in the inaugural inning as Devan Zirwas (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny/VCU) singled through the left side of the infield to score Zuccaro and Logan Hugo (Essexville, Mich./Essexville Garber) after Zuccaro led the inning off with a double and Hugo walked.
The Falcons returned fire in the home half of the inning, putting the first three base runners on but scoring just one as starting pitcher Drew Beckner (Westerville, Ohio/Big Walnut/Charleston) limited the damage to a sacrifice-fly RBI. BGSU would put the first three runners on base again in the second, this time scoring two runs off a two-RBI single up the middle to take a 3-2 lead.
Neither team scored in the third as the game entered a 30-minute delay due to lightning in the area after three innings. After the initial 30-minute delay, the game was postponed to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 26 for a doubleheader.
The Eagles started the Saturday doubleheader off by adding one in the top of the fourth as Zuccaro stepped to the plate and knocked his second hit of the game, doubling to left to score Cooper Vance (New Waterford, Ohio/Mohawk) from first, who reached via a walk.
Milligan entered the game to start the bottom of the fourth inning, relieving Beckner after three innings of work. Dom Anderson (Hagerstown, Ind./Hagerstown) came in to relieve Milligan as the Falcons proceeded to score two in the fourth off a two-RBI single through the left side of the infield to increase their lead to two at 5-3.
After a scoreless fifth, Bowling Green plated four in the sixth off a bases-loaded wild pitch, a two-RBI single, and a base-loaded walk to grow the lead to six, 9-3. The inning saw Drew Norris (Leawood, Kan./Blue Valley/Utah/Johnson C.C.) and Ethan LaPointe (Windsor, Ontario/Holy Names) each take the mound.
Zuccaro collected his third hit of the day in the seventh, sending a no-doubter over the right-field wall for his second home run of the season, trimming the BGSU lead to five at 9-4.
The Falcons scored two in the home half of the frame as Niko Kreuzer (Westerville, Ohio/St. Francis Desales) came in to relieve LaPointe with one out.
The Eagles threatened in the eighth, loading the bases off two walks and an error on the Bowling Green shortstop. The inning ended with Zuccaro sending a bullet right to the Falcon's second baseman for the third and final out.
Freshman right-hander Henry Slaby (Avon, Ohio/St. Edward) came in to pitch in the bottom of the eight and struck out the side one, two, three, setting a career high with three strikeouts.
EMU was unable to make up the needed ground in the ninth as game one ended in an 11-4 win for Bowling Green.
How it Happened – Game Two
Eastern once again struck first in game two, as Zirwas and Stecko each collected an RBI off a fielder's choice and sacrifice fly, respectively, gaining the 2-0 lead.
Bowling Green responded with four runs without getting a hit in the ensuing half inning to take the 4-2 edge. Pfeiffer came in to relieve starting pitcher Fischer Hendershot (Flushing, Mich./Flint Powers) to get the final two outs of the first.
The Eagles added one run in the third as Vance advanced to third base on a wild pitch and scored on an error by the Falcons' third baseman, trimming the BGSU lead to one, 4-3.
The Eagles retook the 5-4 lead in the third off a two-run opposite-field homer from Stecko, the home run marked his ninth of the year, tying Hugo for the most on the squad. Pfeiffer complemented by sitting down the side in order in the ensuing half inning, marking nine consecutive retired from the 6-foot-2 hurler.
Bowling Green threatened in the fourth, loading the bases but failing to push across any runs as Pfeiffer secured a one-three put out to end the inning.
After entering the game for Walsh in the bottom of the third, Drew Jones (Cleveland, Ohio/Brush/Ohio State) singled up the middle, scoring Zirwas from third to increase the EMU lead to two at 6-4.
Davis relieved Pfeiffer to start the bottom of the sixth after he pitched a career long and scoreless 4.2 innings.
The Falcons scored one run off a fielder's choice and error to draw within one run, 6-5.
Eastern increased its lead to four at 9-5 as the intensity increased in the later innings with Hugo tripling in the top of the eighth, scoring two EMU baserunners, eventually crossing home plate off a Harrison Travis (Soddy Daisy, Tenn./Soddy Daisy/Carson-Newman) sacrifice fly.
Bowling Green returned the favor in the home half of the eighth with a bases-loaded, zero-out triple to trim the Eagles' advantage to one, 9-8.
Niko Kreuzer (Westerville, Ohio/St. Francis Desales) relieved Davis with one out and runners on first and second in the ninth. After forcing a fly-out to right field, the Falcons recorded consecutive RBI singles to win the game in walk-off fashion, 10-9.
Game Notes – Game One
» Zuccaro went 3-for-4 from the plate with one home run, two doubles, one walk, and two runs scored. The game marked his fifth with multiple hits and second of the season with three hits exactly, while the home run went down as his second of the season. He brought his hit total to 21 on the season while raising his double total to seven, and his RBI count to 15.
» Connor Walsh (Mattawan, Mich./Mattawan) grabbed his sixth multi-hit outing of the season with 2-for-3 showing from the dish with one double and one walk. He is now up to 21 hits, three doubles, and 13 walks.
» Zirwas recorded his team-high 14th multi-RBI game as he drove in two, elevating his team-best RBI total to 43, ranking him ninth in the MAC. He also walked for the 20th time.
» Slaby struck out a career-best three batters, tied a career high with one inning pitched, and tossed his third scoreless frame of the season. He has held opponents to zero runs in three of his four total appearances.
» Eastern pitching struck out 11 BGSU batters, marking the ninth time the Eagles have reached the double-digit strikeouts mark in 2025.
» Hugo scored one run and worked one walk. Furthering his team lead in both categories to 34 runs and 26 walks. His 26 walks mark a career-best
» Zuccaro furthered his streak of reaching base to 11 games and John Hale (Ashland City, Tenn./Sycamore/Motlow C.C.) continued his hitting streak to six games, both currently serve as the longest streaks on the team.
» Eastern Michigan's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed two runs across.
» Eastern Michigan left 11 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» Eastern Michigan pitchers faced 51 Bowling Green hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out 11.
» The Eagles drew eight walks from Bowling Green pitching.
Game Notes – Game Two
» Eastern out-hit its opponent for the 23rd time this season, producing a 15-8 record in such games. It also eclipsed the 10-hit mark for the 20th time.
» The Eagles lost after leading after six innings for just the fourth time this season. EMU is now 12-4 when leading after six.
» Vance recorded his 11th multi-hit day and fifth with three hits. He also scored two runs for the ninth time this season, bringing his total to 33, a career best. Vance needs two more hits to tie his career high of 43 from the 2024 campaign.
» Hugo hit a triple for the fourth time in his career, earned his 12th multi-hit day, and notched his 11th game with multiple RBI. His RBI total went to 44 on the season, tying for the most on the team and serving as a career best for the senior. He also recorded his first assist of the season from the outfield position, bringing his career total up to 10.
» Pfeiffer pitched the third scoreless outing of his NCAA Division I career and went a career-long 4.2 innings. He shined with runners on base, limiting BGSU batting to .000 (0-for-10), and excelled in getting out of innings as he held the Falcons hitless (0-for-5).
» Stecko knocked multiple hits for the 11th time with a 2-for-4 showing from the dish and drove in multiple runs for the sixth time as he sent three plateward. He also homered for the ninth time, tying Hugo for the team lead.
» Zirwas and Zuccaro each worked two walks. It marked the third multi-walk game for Zirwas and the fourth for Zuccaro.
» Eastern Michigan's highest scoring inning was the eighth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Eastern Michigan left 10 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» Eastern Michigan pitchers faced 46 Bowling Green hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out one.
» The Eagles drew seven walks from Bowling Green pitching.
Historical Notes – Game One
» Game one marked the 192nd all-time meeting between the Eagles and Falcons. After the result, the Eagles remain in the series lead with a 112-80 clip against BGSU.
Historical Notes – Game Two
» Game two marked the 193rd all-time meeting between the Eagles and Falcons. After the result, the Eagles remain in the series lead with a 112-81 clip against BGSU.
Up Next
The Eagles and Falcons will conclude the series tomorrow, Sunday, April 27. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. from Steller Field.
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.
GAME TWO| EMU 9, BGSU 10
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball team was bested by the Bowling Green State University Falcons in a doubleheader Saturday, April 26, as it fell in game one, 11-4, and game two in a heart-breaking walk-off, 10-9, at Steller Field, in Mid-American Conference play.
After the two games, the Eagles' record shifts to 17-20 (9-11 MAC), while Bowling Green's improved to 27-14 (15-8 MAC).
Eastern dropped to sixth in the MAC standings as it remains qualified for the MAC Tournament if the season ended today.
The Eagles offense was led by Giano Zuccaro (Middleburg Heights, Ohio/Berea Midpark/Charleston) in game one as he knocked three extra-base hits including his second home run of the season in a 3-for-4, two-RBI performance from the dish with two runs scored.
The win went to BGSU's Owen Poole (4-3) while freshman right-hander Colin Milligan (Delaware, Ohio/Delaware Hayes) (0-3) was tagged with the loss.
Ty Stecko (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin/Mount St. Mary's) paced the EMU bats in game two, homering for a team-high ninth time and driving in three runs off a 2-for-4 clip. Junior right-hander Michael Pfeiffer (Brownsboro, Ala./Huntsville/Northwest-Shoals C.C.) was a bright spot out of the bullpen, pitching a scoreless outing in a NCAA Division I career-long 4.2 innings pitched.
BGSU's Connar Penrod (4-2) earned the win and Ethan Davis (Brownstown, Ind./Brownstown Central/Marian/Frontier C.C.) (2-2) was credited with the loss.
How it Happened – Game One
The Eagles wasted no time, striking first in the inaugural inning as Devan Zirwas (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny/VCU) singled through the left side of the infield to score Zuccaro and Logan Hugo (Essexville, Mich./Essexville Garber) after Zuccaro led the inning off with a double and Hugo walked.
The Falcons returned fire in the home half of the inning, putting the first three base runners on but scoring just one as starting pitcher Drew Beckner (Westerville, Ohio/Big Walnut/Charleston) limited the damage to a sacrifice-fly RBI. BGSU would put the first three runners on base again in the second, this time scoring two runs off a two-RBI single up the middle to take a 3-2 lead.
Neither team scored in the third as the game entered a 30-minute delay due to lightning in the area after three innings. After the initial 30-minute delay, the game was postponed to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 26 for a doubleheader.
The Eagles started the Saturday doubleheader off by adding one in the top of the fourth as Zuccaro stepped to the plate and knocked his second hit of the game, doubling to left to score Cooper Vance (New Waterford, Ohio/Mohawk) from first, who reached via a walk.
Milligan entered the game to start the bottom of the fourth inning, relieving Beckner after three innings of work. Dom Anderson (Hagerstown, Ind./Hagerstown) came in to relieve Milligan as the Falcons proceeded to score two in the fourth off a two-RBI single through the left side of the infield to increase their lead to two at 5-3.
After a scoreless fifth, Bowling Green plated four in the sixth off a bases-loaded wild pitch, a two-RBI single, and a base-loaded walk to grow the lead to six, 9-3. The inning saw Drew Norris (Leawood, Kan./Blue Valley/Utah/Johnson C.C.) and Ethan LaPointe (Windsor, Ontario/Holy Names) each take the mound.
Zuccaro collected his third hit of the day in the seventh, sending a no-doubter over the right-field wall for his second home run of the season, trimming the BGSU lead to five at 9-4.
The Falcons scored two in the home half of the frame as Niko Kreuzer (Westerville, Ohio/St. Francis Desales) came in to relieve LaPointe with one out.
The Eagles threatened in the eighth, loading the bases off two walks and an error on the Bowling Green shortstop. The inning ended with Zuccaro sending a bullet right to the Falcon's second baseman for the third and final out.
Freshman right-hander Henry Slaby (Avon, Ohio/St. Edward) came in to pitch in the bottom of the eight and struck out the side one, two, three, setting a career high with three strikeouts.
EMU was unable to make up the needed ground in the ninth as game one ended in an 11-4 win for Bowling Green.
How it Happened – Game Two
Eastern once again struck first in game two, as Zirwas and Stecko each collected an RBI off a fielder's choice and sacrifice fly, respectively, gaining the 2-0 lead.
Bowling Green responded with four runs without getting a hit in the ensuing half inning to take the 4-2 edge. Pfeiffer came in to relieve starting pitcher Fischer Hendershot (Flushing, Mich./Flint Powers) to get the final two outs of the first.
The Eagles added one run in the third as Vance advanced to third base on a wild pitch and scored on an error by the Falcons' third baseman, trimming the BGSU lead to one, 4-3.
The Eagles retook the 5-4 lead in the third off a two-run opposite-field homer from Stecko, the home run marked his ninth of the year, tying Hugo for the most on the squad. Pfeiffer complemented by sitting down the side in order in the ensuing half inning, marking nine consecutive retired from the 6-foot-2 hurler.
Bowling Green threatened in the fourth, loading the bases but failing to push across any runs as Pfeiffer secured a one-three put out to end the inning.
After entering the game for Walsh in the bottom of the third, Drew Jones (Cleveland, Ohio/Brush/Ohio State) singled up the middle, scoring Zirwas from third to increase the EMU lead to two at 6-4.
Davis relieved Pfeiffer to start the bottom of the sixth after he pitched a career long and scoreless 4.2 innings.
The Falcons scored one run off a fielder's choice and error to draw within one run, 6-5.
Eastern increased its lead to four at 9-5 as the intensity increased in the later innings with Hugo tripling in the top of the eighth, scoring two EMU baserunners, eventually crossing home plate off a Harrison Travis (Soddy Daisy, Tenn./Soddy Daisy/Carson-Newman) sacrifice fly.
Bowling Green returned the favor in the home half of the eighth with a bases-loaded, zero-out triple to trim the Eagles' advantage to one, 9-8.
Niko Kreuzer (Westerville, Ohio/St. Francis Desales) relieved Davis with one out and runners on first and second in the ninth. After forcing a fly-out to right field, the Falcons recorded consecutive RBI singles to win the game in walk-off fashion, 10-9.
Game Notes – Game One
» Zuccaro went 3-for-4 from the plate with one home run, two doubles, one walk, and two runs scored. The game marked his fifth with multiple hits and second of the season with three hits exactly, while the home run went down as his second of the season. He brought his hit total to 21 on the season while raising his double total to seven, and his RBI count to 15.
» Connor Walsh (Mattawan, Mich./Mattawan) grabbed his sixth multi-hit outing of the season with 2-for-3 showing from the dish with one double and one walk. He is now up to 21 hits, three doubles, and 13 walks.
» Zirwas recorded his team-high 14th multi-RBI game as he drove in two, elevating his team-best RBI total to 43, ranking him ninth in the MAC. He also walked for the 20th time.
» Slaby struck out a career-best three batters, tied a career high with one inning pitched, and tossed his third scoreless frame of the season. He has held opponents to zero runs in three of his four total appearances.
» Eastern pitching struck out 11 BGSU batters, marking the ninth time the Eagles have reached the double-digit strikeouts mark in 2025.
» Hugo scored one run and worked one walk. Furthering his team lead in both categories to 34 runs and 26 walks. His 26 walks mark a career-best
» Zuccaro furthered his streak of reaching base to 11 games and John Hale (Ashland City, Tenn./Sycamore/Motlow C.C.) continued his hitting streak to six games, both currently serve as the longest streaks on the team.
» Eastern Michigan's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed two runs across.
» Eastern Michigan left 11 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» Eastern Michigan pitchers faced 51 Bowling Green hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out 11.
» The Eagles drew eight walks from Bowling Green pitching.
Game Notes – Game Two
» Eastern out-hit its opponent for the 23rd time this season, producing a 15-8 record in such games. It also eclipsed the 10-hit mark for the 20th time.
» The Eagles lost after leading after six innings for just the fourth time this season. EMU is now 12-4 when leading after six.
» Vance recorded his 11th multi-hit day and fifth with three hits. He also scored two runs for the ninth time this season, bringing his total to 33, a career best. Vance needs two more hits to tie his career high of 43 from the 2024 campaign.
» Hugo hit a triple for the fourth time in his career, earned his 12th multi-hit day, and notched his 11th game with multiple RBI. His RBI total went to 44 on the season, tying for the most on the team and serving as a career best for the senior. He also recorded his first assist of the season from the outfield position, bringing his career total up to 10.
» Pfeiffer pitched the third scoreless outing of his NCAA Division I career and went a career-long 4.2 innings. He shined with runners on base, limiting BGSU batting to .000 (0-for-10), and excelled in getting out of innings as he held the Falcons hitless (0-for-5).
» Stecko knocked multiple hits for the 11th time with a 2-for-4 showing from the dish and drove in multiple runs for the sixth time as he sent three plateward. He also homered for the ninth time, tying Hugo for the team lead.
» Zirwas and Zuccaro each worked two walks. It marked the third multi-walk game for Zirwas and the fourth for Zuccaro.
» Eastern Michigan's highest scoring inning was the eighth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Eastern Michigan left 10 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» Eastern Michigan pitchers faced 46 Bowling Green hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out one.
» The Eagles drew seven walks from Bowling Green pitching.
Historical Notes – Game One
» Game one marked the 192nd all-time meeting between the Eagles and Falcons. After the result, the Eagles remain in the series lead with a 112-80 clip against BGSU.
Historical Notes – Game Two
» Game two marked the 193rd all-time meeting between the Eagles and Falcons. After the result, the Eagles remain in the series lead with a 112-81 clip against BGSU.
Up Next
The Eagles and Falcons will conclude the series tomorrow, Sunday, April 27. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. from Steller Field.
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: PENROD,Connar (4-2)
L: Davis, Ethan (2-2)
Batting:
3B: Hugo, Logan 1
HR: Stecko, Ty 1
RBI: Hugo, Logan 2 ; Travis, Harrison 1 ; Zirwas, Devan 1 ; Stecko, Ty 3 ; Jones, Drew 1
SF: Travis, Harrison 1 ; Stecko, Ty 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Zuccaro, Giano 2 ; Hugo, Logan 2 ; Zirwas, Devan 2 ; Stecko, Ty 1 ; Vance, Cooper 2
HBP: Travis, Harrison 1
Batting:
2B: MOTTICE, Carter 1
3B: WRIGHT, Garrett 1
RBI: ANTILLON, Gunner 1 ; WRIGHT, Garrett 3 ; TAKATS, TJ 1 ; HORKY, Zack 1 ; PARKER, Caden 1 ; LAIRD, Alex 1
Base Running:
RUNS: ANTILLON, Gunner 2 ; WRIGHT, Garrett 1 ; GANUN, Gavin 1 ; TAKATS, TJ 2 ; PARKER, Caden 1 ; CURLIS, Brayden 1 ; MOTTICE, Carter 1 ; LAIRD, Alex 1
CS: MOTTICE, Carter 1
HBP: WRIGHT, Garrett 1 ; TAKATS, TJ 1 ; CURLIS, Brayden 1 ; MOTTICE, Carter 1 ; LAIRD, Alex 2
Game Leaders
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5
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RBI
2
AB
4
R
2
H
1
RBI
0
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