Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Insider Podcast - Season 8 - Episode 20
2/9/2026 5:17:00 PM | Baseball, Women's Golf, General
Belief, Baseball, and a Milestone Moment on Eastern Insider
Click Here to Listen to the Podcast.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Episode 20 of Season 8 of the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE opened with reflection, humor, and a sense of milestone as Greg Steiner and Elena Davis marked a moment few shows ever reach. Episode 200.
"It's finally here," Steiner said at the top of the show. "It's taken a while, but yes, this is episode 200. That either proves that we're really good at what we do, or we've just been around a really long time."
Davis did not hesitate to weigh in.
"Well, we are so grateful, Greg," she said. "You've been here for all 200 episodes. I've maybe joined about, what, 50 of them? So congrats, Greg."
The milestone prompted Steiner to trace the show's roots, beginning well before podcasts became standard. Eastern Insider debuted as a podcast on Sept. 6, 2018, but the concept stretches further back.
"Before the podcast, we were on regular radio," Steiner said. "We were at 105.1 and then WTKA before that. It was still the Eastern Insider, but it was a different format."
Even earlier versions existed under other names, a reminder of how long the program has served as a weekly touchpoint for Eastern Michigan athletics. Through every format change, Steiner remained constant. Co-hosts rotated, including Kyler Ludlow, Alex Jewell, and Tom Helmer, before Davis stepped into the role.
"There is only one person that's appeared on more Eastern Insiders than anyone else," Steiner said. "Besides me."
Davis guessed correctly.
"Chris Creighton," she said.
Steiner explained the math. With roughly 12 football games per season and Creighton's long tenure at EMU, appearances added up quickly.
"So congratulations, Chris Creighton," Steiner said. "And to everybody who has joined this amazing podcast. It's been special."
With celebration complete, the show pivoted into what Steiner called a big week, both on the calendar and within the department. Love might have been in the air, but sports drove the conversation.
"This is a big week to preview some sports that are getting going," Steiner said. "Women's golf and baseball are getting started."
Women's golf opened its spring slate in Southern California, while baseball prepared for its annual southern trip to Arkansas. Davis admitted the logistics still felt strange.
"I'm a little confused about baseball," she said. "They're going to Arkansas. But isn't it also cold there?"
Steiner offered context familiar to northern programs.
"We always start somewhere with better weather," he said. "Northern schools are always going south."
That conversation spilled into a broader discussion on scheduling, NCAA calendars, and the realities of competing in Michigan winters. The tone stayed light, but the insight landed.
"You're locked into when your championship season ends," Steiner said. "You have to be done."
From there, the show moved briskly through the week ahead. Men's basketball returned to conference play with a road test at Kent State, followed by a home matchup against Western Michigan.
"They're still high atop the league," Steiner said of Kent State. "A good test in preparation for Cleveland."
Women's basketball also took center stage, especially after a dramatic overtime win.
"The last time they led that game was in the first quarter," Davis said. "Then they tie it to go to overtime and pull off the win. Wow."
Steiner credited Sahar Nusseibeh and her group for finding resolve.
"They found a way to get back against a team that had been dominating," he said.
Gymnastics stayed in conference play with a road meet at Ball State following a difficult outing against Central Michigan. Davis pointed to experimentation as part of the process.
"We tried different lineups," she said. "Now we know."
The rundown continued. Lacrosse hosted Lindenwood and Xavier. Women's golf teed off on the West Coast. Track, swim and dive, and tennis all filled the schedule.
"If you like competition, you've got plenty of it this week," Steiner said.
Segment 1 - Josh Brewer
Snow still covers much of Michigan, but Josh Brewer already has his mind on fairways in California and a spring season built on belief. Eastern Michigan's second-year head women's golf coach knows the pause between fall and spring brings uncertainty. He also knows it brings opportunity.
"You hit pause for four months, three months, and it's like, OK, are we as good as we were in the fall," Brewer said. "I'm excited to learn where we're at right this moment."
Eastern Michigan enters the spring ranked 35th nationally after a fall filled with trophies and consistency. The Eagles won the season-opening Southern, captured another title at the Leadership and Golf Invite, and finished runner-up at the Oklahoma Intercollegiate. Brewer saw more than results. He saw growth.
"We play our best late in tournaments," he said. "We get stronger as the week progresses. That's a nice quality to have."
Brewer gives his players freedom during the long winter break. Some compete. Some rest. All return with expectations.
"They just know when we step foot back on campus in January, they need to be ready," he said. "Now we're headed to California and we're going to find out who is ready."
Brewer's belief system comes from a lifetime around coaches who focused on people before systems. He still smiles when he talks about Indiana's recent national title run, a moment he shared with his father.
"I literally cried for like four minutes in each other's arms," he said. "Fifty years of misery is pretty special."
He uses stories like that to shape his own program.
"Why not Eastern," Brewer said. "You've got to change mindsets. But we truly believe if we work, we'll have a chance for a national title come May."
Work sits at the center of everything. Practices stretch from early morning into the evening. Brewer and assistant coach Caterina Don coach in small groups every day.
"We're fully on for those 90 minutes," Brewer said. "We're not on our phone. We're leading and showing these young women what it takes."
The Eagles carry an unusually deep roster of 11 players. That depth creates hard decisions and daily competition.
"If you're number 11 or number one, you understand 11 is coming after you," Brewer said. "That competition creates greatness."
Leadership comes from experience. Twins Jasmine and Janae Leovao headline the lineup in their final season.
"Those are two people that will be playing professional golf in June," Brewer said.
They join Savannah de Bock and steady presence Baiyok Sukterm, who Brewer calls the rock of the lineup.
"She's top 10, top 15 every time you look up," he said.
The spring schedule tests Eastern against the best in the country, including events in Southern California, Florida, and Silicon Valley. Brewer built it with purpose.
"We want to make the national championship," he said. "You do that by winning your conference or staying ranked."
The ultimate goal sits in April at the MAC Championship, where Kent State has long set the standard.
"All things have to end," Brewer said. "Our players said they want to win a MAC championship. We're not scared to talk about it."
Brewer wants his team peaking late, not early.
"We slowed things down," he said. "I'll be way smarter in year three than year two."
For now, the snow still falls. The clubs soon come back out. And belief follows Eastern Michigan wherever the Eagles tee it up.
Segment 2 - Trevor Beerman
Trevor Beerman stepped into the spotlight this offseason, moving from assistant coach and recruiter to interim head coach of Eastern Michigan baseball. As the 2026 season approaches, he embraces the challenge of leading a program with history and expectations.
"Anytime you get, I say, the keys to the car, it's a great opportunity," Beerman said. "I'm just excited for our players to finally get started. It's been a crazy six months really for both parties, myself and those guys."
Beerman has been with the program for years, giving him insight into his players beyond the diamond.
"I probably know these guys as good as anybody else, just being in some of their families' backyards and houses," he said. "Now it's really getting the opportunity to [carry out] the vision that I had for this program and Robbie as well."
That vision combines tradition with growth, emphasizing competitiveness and development.
"We were probably pretty disappointed as far as what the MAC tournament actually turned out to be in the game against Ball State," Beerman said. "Our guys are hungry to get back there and show a little bit more of who we are as a program."
A cornerstone of the program's future is the new Oestrike Stadium, complete with full artificial turf and lights.
"It's phenomenal," Beerman said. "It puts us in the mix as far as from a facility perspective and really can push us forward where we want to go."
Returning leaders like Devan Zirwas, Ty Stecko and Ethan Davis have been instrumental in guiding younger players through the offseason.
"It's so easy for maybe some guys to become selfish in a senior year," Beerman said. "Those guys have really taken in some of the younger guys and pushed them in the direction of what this program is supposed to be."
On the pitching side, Beerman has overseen new faces emerging in the bullpen, while also focusing on replacing workhorse starters from previous seasons.
"Drew Beckner and Tyler Kappa are tough to replace," he said. "But adding depth and arm talent has allowed guys to feed into their own roles. That's been super huge to see from the fall to the spring as we get rolling."
The coaching staff has been augmented by Seth Caddell, a former professional catcher, and Brody Ware, focusing on pitching development.
"Anytime you get a guy who's played at a high level, obviously coached at a high level, it's huge," Beerman said. "Brody's done a phenomenal job continuing to build a relationship with those guys and stepping into the role of what this team needs to be successful."
Beerman emphasizes fundamentals and mental preparation, particularly on the mound.
"We've shifted the mindset to be the pitchers on offense," he said. "You are attacking the zone. You are the one with the ball. The guys have worked really hard. It's exciting to finally see the hard work pay off."
Beyond baseball, Beerman stresses academics, community engagement, and developing well-rounded student-athletes.
"We've had the highest ever GPA in baseball history, and we'll surpass 1,000 community service hours again," he said. "Winning on the field, in the classroom, and in the community — that's the three most important pieces in our program."
As Eastern Michigan begins the season with a road stretch against Little Rock, Vanderbilt, and other early tests, Beerman is focused on cohesion and long-term success.
"You don't win a conference championship in February or March," he said. "We've got to make sure we're staying together, getting better, and preparing for the ultimate goal of continuing to get back to Avon."
With the players and staff in sync, Beerman believes the Eagles are ready to navigate adversity and push toward a MAC tournament run.
"The closest group I've had a chance to be around," he said. "It's just a tribute to the guys in the locker room."
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Episode 20 of Season 8 of the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE opened with reflection, humor, and a sense of milestone as Greg Steiner and Elena Davis marked a moment few shows ever reach. Episode 200.
"It's finally here," Steiner said at the top of the show. "It's taken a while, but yes, this is episode 200. That either proves that we're really good at what we do, or we've just been around a really long time."
Davis did not hesitate to weigh in.
"Well, we are so grateful, Greg," she said. "You've been here for all 200 episodes. I've maybe joined about, what, 50 of them? So congrats, Greg."
The milestone prompted Steiner to trace the show's roots, beginning well before podcasts became standard. Eastern Insider debuted as a podcast on Sept. 6, 2018, but the concept stretches further back.
"Before the podcast, we were on regular radio," Steiner said. "We were at 105.1 and then WTKA before that. It was still the Eastern Insider, but it was a different format."
Even earlier versions existed under other names, a reminder of how long the program has served as a weekly touchpoint for Eastern Michigan athletics. Through every format change, Steiner remained constant. Co-hosts rotated, including Kyler Ludlow, Alex Jewell, and Tom Helmer, before Davis stepped into the role.
"There is only one person that's appeared on more Eastern Insiders than anyone else," Steiner said. "Besides me."
Davis guessed correctly.
"Chris Creighton," she said.
Steiner explained the math. With roughly 12 football games per season and Creighton's long tenure at EMU, appearances added up quickly.
"So congratulations, Chris Creighton," Steiner said. "And to everybody who has joined this amazing podcast. It's been special."
With celebration complete, the show pivoted into what Steiner called a big week, both on the calendar and within the department. Love might have been in the air, but sports drove the conversation.
"This is a big week to preview some sports that are getting going," Steiner said. "Women's golf and baseball are getting started."
Women's golf opened its spring slate in Southern California, while baseball prepared for its annual southern trip to Arkansas. Davis admitted the logistics still felt strange.
"I'm a little confused about baseball," she said. "They're going to Arkansas. But isn't it also cold there?"
Steiner offered context familiar to northern programs.
"We always start somewhere with better weather," he said. "Northern schools are always going south."
That conversation spilled into a broader discussion on scheduling, NCAA calendars, and the realities of competing in Michigan winters. The tone stayed light, but the insight landed.
"You're locked into when your championship season ends," Steiner said. "You have to be done."
From there, the show moved briskly through the week ahead. Men's basketball returned to conference play with a road test at Kent State, followed by a home matchup against Western Michigan.
"They're still high atop the league," Steiner said of Kent State. "A good test in preparation for Cleveland."
Women's basketball also took center stage, especially after a dramatic overtime win.
"The last time they led that game was in the first quarter," Davis said. "Then they tie it to go to overtime and pull off the win. Wow."
Steiner credited Sahar Nusseibeh and her group for finding resolve.
"They found a way to get back against a team that had been dominating," he said.
Gymnastics stayed in conference play with a road meet at Ball State following a difficult outing against Central Michigan. Davis pointed to experimentation as part of the process.
"We tried different lineups," she said. "Now we know."
The rundown continued. Lacrosse hosted Lindenwood and Xavier. Women's golf teed off on the West Coast. Track, swim and dive, and tennis all filled the schedule.
"If you like competition, you've got plenty of it this week," Steiner said.
Segment 1 - Josh Brewer
Snow still covers much of Michigan, but Josh Brewer already has his mind on fairways in California and a spring season built on belief. Eastern Michigan's second-year head women's golf coach knows the pause between fall and spring brings uncertainty. He also knows it brings opportunity.
"You hit pause for four months, three months, and it's like, OK, are we as good as we were in the fall," Brewer said. "I'm excited to learn where we're at right this moment."
Eastern Michigan enters the spring ranked 35th nationally after a fall filled with trophies and consistency. The Eagles won the season-opening Southern, captured another title at the Leadership and Golf Invite, and finished runner-up at the Oklahoma Intercollegiate. Brewer saw more than results. He saw growth.
"We play our best late in tournaments," he said. "We get stronger as the week progresses. That's a nice quality to have."
Brewer gives his players freedom during the long winter break. Some compete. Some rest. All return with expectations.
"They just know when we step foot back on campus in January, they need to be ready," he said. "Now we're headed to California and we're going to find out who is ready."
Brewer's belief system comes from a lifetime around coaches who focused on people before systems. He still smiles when he talks about Indiana's recent national title run, a moment he shared with his father.
"I literally cried for like four minutes in each other's arms," he said. "Fifty years of misery is pretty special."
He uses stories like that to shape his own program.
"Why not Eastern," Brewer said. "You've got to change mindsets. But we truly believe if we work, we'll have a chance for a national title come May."
Work sits at the center of everything. Practices stretch from early morning into the evening. Brewer and assistant coach Caterina Don coach in small groups every day.
"We're fully on for those 90 minutes," Brewer said. "We're not on our phone. We're leading and showing these young women what it takes."
The Eagles carry an unusually deep roster of 11 players. That depth creates hard decisions and daily competition.
"If you're number 11 or number one, you understand 11 is coming after you," Brewer said. "That competition creates greatness."
Leadership comes from experience. Twins Jasmine and Janae Leovao headline the lineup in their final season.
"Those are two people that will be playing professional golf in June," Brewer said.
They join Savannah de Bock and steady presence Baiyok Sukterm, who Brewer calls the rock of the lineup.
"She's top 10, top 15 every time you look up," he said.
The spring schedule tests Eastern against the best in the country, including events in Southern California, Florida, and Silicon Valley. Brewer built it with purpose.
"We want to make the national championship," he said. "You do that by winning your conference or staying ranked."
The ultimate goal sits in April at the MAC Championship, where Kent State has long set the standard.
"All things have to end," Brewer said. "Our players said they want to win a MAC championship. We're not scared to talk about it."
Brewer wants his team peaking late, not early.
"We slowed things down," he said. "I'll be way smarter in year three than year two."
For now, the snow still falls. The clubs soon come back out. And belief follows Eastern Michigan wherever the Eagles tee it up.
Segment 2 - Trevor Beerman
Trevor Beerman stepped into the spotlight this offseason, moving from assistant coach and recruiter to interim head coach of Eastern Michigan baseball. As the 2026 season approaches, he embraces the challenge of leading a program with history and expectations.
"Anytime you get, I say, the keys to the car, it's a great opportunity," Beerman said. "I'm just excited for our players to finally get started. It's been a crazy six months really for both parties, myself and those guys."
Beerman has been with the program for years, giving him insight into his players beyond the diamond.
"I probably know these guys as good as anybody else, just being in some of their families' backyards and houses," he said. "Now it's really getting the opportunity to [carry out] the vision that I had for this program and Robbie as well."
That vision combines tradition with growth, emphasizing competitiveness and development.
"We were probably pretty disappointed as far as what the MAC tournament actually turned out to be in the game against Ball State," Beerman said. "Our guys are hungry to get back there and show a little bit more of who we are as a program."
A cornerstone of the program's future is the new Oestrike Stadium, complete with full artificial turf and lights.
"It's phenomenal," Beerman said. "It puts us in the mix as far as from a facility perspective and really can push us forward where we want to go."
Returning leaders like Devan Zirwas, Ty Stecko and Ethan Davis have been instrumental in guiding younger players through the offseason.
"It's so easy for maybe some guys to become selfish in a senior year," Beerman said. "Those guys have really taken in some of the younger guys and pushed them in the direction of what this program is supposed to be."
On the pitching side, Beerman has overseen new faces emerging in the bullpen, while also focusing on replacing workhorse starters from previous seasons.
"Drew Beckner and Tyler Kappa are tough to replace," he said. "But adding depth and arm talent has allowed guys to feed into their own roles. That's been super huge to see from the fall to the spring as we get rolling."
The coaching staff has been augmented by Seth Caddell, a former professional catcher, and Brody Ware, focusing on pitching development.
"Anytime you get a guy who's played at a high level, obviously coached at a high level, it's huge," Beerman said. "Brody's done a phenomenal job continuing to build a relationship with those guys and stepping into the role of what this team needs to be successful."
Beerman emphasizes fundamentals and mental preparation, particularly on the mound.
"We've shifted the mindset to be the pitchers on offense," he said. "You are attacking the zone. You are the one with the ball. The guys have worked really hard. It's exciting to finally see the hard work pay off."
Beyond baseball, Beerman stresses academics, community engagement, and developing well-rounded student-athletes.
"We've had the highest ever GPA in baseball history, and we'll surpass 1,000 community service hours again," he said. "Winning on the field, in the classroom, and in the community — that's the three most important pieces in our program."
As Eastern Michigan begins the season with a road stretch against Little Rock, Vanderbilt, and other early tests, Beerman is focused on cohesion and long-term success.
"You don't win a conference championship in February or March," he said. "We've got to make sure we're staying together, getting better, and preparing for the ultimate goal of continuing to get back to Avon."
With the players and staff in sync, Beerman believes the Eagles are ready to navigate adversity and push toward a MAC tournament run.
"The closest group I've had a chance to be around," he said. "It's just a tribute to the guys in the locker room."
Players Mentioned
LHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
INF
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