Baseball Hosts Akron in Weekend Slate Friday-Sunday

Eastern Michigan Baseball vs. Akron
Date	Friday-Sunday \| March 20-22
Venue	Oestrike Stadium \| Ypsilanti, Mich.
Preview Info	EMU Notes \| Record Book (PDF).
Watch	Game One \| Game Two \| Game Three
Listen	Game One \| Game Two \| Game Three
Live Stats	Game One \| Game Two \| Game Three
Social Media	X: @EMU _Baseball \| @EMUAthletics IG: @emu_baseball \| @emuathletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball team looks to get back in the win column as it faces the University of Akron in a three-game Mid-American Conference series Friday-Sunday, March 20-22, at Oestrike Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday while Sunday's start is set for 1 p.m.

Fans can stream game one live on ESPN+ and access games two and three on Eagle All-Access. Greg Steiner will have the call all three games and Elena Davis will report from the sideline on Friday. Live stats will be available on EMUEagles.com, where a post-game recap will be posted. 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.

FIRST PITCHES
» The Eagles and Zips will meet for the 78th-80th times. Eastern holds a 48-29 record when facing Akron and a 10-13 mark when facing them at home since 1999.
» Eastern swept the Zips to open MAC play in last season's series in the Rubber City, March 7-9.
» Eastern is looking to win four straight against the Zips and win consecutive series against them for the first time since 2022-23.
» Interim Head Coach Trevor Beerman is searching for his first Mid-American Conference win.
» Most recently, Eastern was swept by Ball State in a three-game MAC series, March 13-15.
» Eastern is hosting "Race the Bases" weekend against the Zips. Kids are invited to run the bases after each game and participate in racing-themed trivia in between innings.
» Eastern totals 22 newcomers, including seven freshmen and 15 transfers. The Eagles bring back 18 players from the 2025 season.
» Eastern returns key players in Devan Zirwas and Ty Stecko. Zirwas was named a top-150 outfielder by D1 Baseball and Stecko earned Preseason All-MAC honors from Perfect Game.
» Following the departure of Robbie Britt to the Boston Red Sox, former assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Trevor Beerman was promoted to interim head coach for the 2026 season.
» At 30 years old, Interim Head Coach Trevor Beerman is the youngest known coach at the NCAA Division I level.

ALL-TIME AGAINST AKRON
The Eagles and Zips will meet for the 78th-80th times. Eastern holds a 48-29 record when facing Akron and a 10-13 mark when facing them at home since 1999. The series has been split evenly in recent years as EMU is 5-5 against Akron in its last 10 meetings. Eastern is looking to sweep the Zips in consecutive series for the first time since 2003-04 when it swept a 'home-and-home' set, April 12-13, 2003, and won both games at Akron, May 14-15, 2004.

LAST TIME AGAINST AKRON
Eastern swept the Zips to open MAC play last season, March 7-9.

Notables
The sweep marked the third straight season the Eagles won their conference-opening series, the first time they have done so since 2010-12, as well as the program's first sweep in the conference-opening series since it swept Bowling Green to open MAC play in the 2016 season. The sweep also marked the first road sweep in a MAC series since Eastern swept BGSU in a four-game MAC tilt on the road in the 2021 season, May 7-8.

LAST TIME AT HOME AGAINST AKRON
Eastern was swept by the Zips in the 2024 season, April 19-21. The Eagles were outscored, 34-15 as they dropped game one, 13-8, game two, 7-2, and were run ruled in the series finale, 15-5.

LAST TIME OUT: AT BALL STATE, MARCH 13-15
Despite the Eastern bats heating up, the Eagles were swept by Ball State after holding a lead in each game.

Game One, L, 17-13
Eastern set multiple offensive season highs, marking its best offensive showing of the 2026 campaign. The contest saw a total of 30 runs off 33 hits, with Eastern totaling 15 knocks and the Cardinals earning 18. EMU got off to a 12-9 lead after four innings but was outscored 8-1 over the final five innings.

Notables
» The Eagles' 13 runs mark a season-high and the second time it has put up double-digit runs this season, as it holds a 1-1 record in such games.
» Eastern's 11 RBI tied its season high after driving in 11 in an 11-6 win at Little Rock, Feb. 14. The game marked the second time EMU has totaled double-digit RBI as it lost for the first time when doing so.
» Eastern plated six runs in the second inning for its third inning with four or more runs this season. EMU's six runs in the second are its second-highest single-inning total after scoring eight runs in the seventh inning in an 11-6 win at Little Rock, Feb. 14.
» Ben Schechterman smashed his first career home run over the right-center wall for a two-run shot in the fourth inning. Schechterman drove in multiple runs for the first time this season and the second of his career. He earned his first multi-hit game of the season after singling in the top of the sixth.
» Tristan Crane tallied his first long ball of the season with a solo bomb to right field in the ninth inning.
» Eastern pitching tied a season low with just two walks.

Game Two, L, 9-4
Landon Mueller struck out seven Cardinals in relief as the Eagles dropped a 9-4 decision to Ball State Saturday, March 14, at Shebek Stadium. The Eagles jumped out to an early lead but could not overcome a six-run fifth inning by the Cardinals. Cal Rutherford got the ball for the first start of his career. The sophomore righty went a career-long 4.0 innings for the second consecutive appearance, allowing two earned runs while striking out three and walking two.

Notables
» Eastern pitching combined for 10 strikeouts, its third-highest total of the season and third time reaching the double-digit mark, producing a 1-2 record in such games.
» Cal Rutherford got the ball for the first start of his career. The sophomore righty went a career-long 4.0 innings for the second consecutive appearance, allowing two earned runs while striking out three and walking two.
» Landon Mueller pitched a season-long 4.0 innings in relief, striking out seven Cardinals, tying a season-high previously set in his last outing at Miami, March 8.

Game Three, L, 12-9
Devan Zirwas eclipsed 100-career hits in a 4-for-4 day at the plate, but Eastern could not overcome a big seventh-inning from Ball State, falling 12-9. Eastern posted season-bests with 16 hits and eight extra-base knocks as the Cardinals' seven-run seventh proved to be the deciding factor.

Notables
» Eastern displayed its power with a season-high eight extra-base hits. It set a season-high with five doubles while matching its season-best home run total with three.
» Eastern's 16 hits mark a season-high and are its fourth time with double-digit hits. The 16 knocks rank fifth in the MAC's single-game rankings.
» EMU struck out five times, tying its lowest total of the season originally set against SIUE, Feb. 28.

EARLY LEADS AT BSU
Despite getting swept by the Cardinals, March 13-15, Eastern held a lead in the middling stages of each game at Ball State. EMU was up 12-9 after four innings in game one, but lost, 17-13. In game two, it led 3-1 after four and lost, 9-4. The series finale saw EMU jump out to a 6-5 lead after six innings, eventually falling, 12-9.

BATS ARE BACK
After struggling offensively, the Eagles broke through for a strong offensive weekend at Ball State.

EMU Offense Prior to BSU Series
.193 BA , .336 SLG%, .323 OB%, .659 OPS

EMU Offense in the BSU Series
.351 BA, .596 SLG%, .440 OB%, 1.036 OPS

The offensive breakout raised the squad's season-long batting average by 28 points from .193 to .221 while increasing its slugging percentage by 46 points (.336 to .382), and on-base clip by 20 points (.323 to .343).

HITTING CONSISTENCY
Eastern had nine or more hits in all three games at Ball State, and double-digits in two of the three. EMU has posted nine or more hits seven times this season with five of those occurrences coming in the last six games.

ZIRWAS FINDING RHYTHM
Devan Zirwas found his rhythm at the plate last week. He batted a blistering .500 average with a 1.544 OPS, totaling nine hits, four of which went for extra bases (two doubles, two home runs) resulting in nine RBI and 17 total bases. The left-handed bat posted three games with multiple RBI and two with multiple hits as his best performance of the week came in the series finale at Ball State, March 15, knocking a career-best four hits with one double and one home run while driving in a quartet of Eagles. His four hits rank second in the MAC in the individual single-game category as he eclipsed the 100-hit milestone Sunday, totaling 101 in his NCAA career.

ZIRWAS' INCREASED POWER
After knocking 20 doubles last season (fifth in program history), Devan Zirwas has added even more power to his bat in 2026. What was a double last year is a homer in 2026 as he leads the Eagles and ranks second in the MAC with seven bombs, one shy of matching the eight he hit last season. The left-handed bat balanced hitting for average and power last week as he batted .500 with four extra-base hits (two doubles, two home runs).

ZIRWAS 100 HITS
Devan Zirwas reached the 100-hits mark with four hits in the series finale at Ball State, March 15, becoming the first Eagle to reach the mark this season. Ty Stecko is the next Eagle poised to accomplish the feat as he totals 97 hits in his NCAA career, 68 of which came at EMU and 29 that occurred at Mount St. Mary's.

MUELLER'S LAST THREE OUTINGS
Junior righty Landon Mueller has excelled out of the bullpen in his last three outings. In his 10.2 innings pitched out of the pen, he posts a 3.38 ERA and has allowed just four earned runs off nine hits while striking out 16 opposing batters and walking three. Opponents hit .209 off him in the stretch. As a starter in his first three outings of the season, Mueller went 5.2 innings with a 17.47 ERA while striking out five and walking eight.

MUELLER'S SEVEN BULLPEN STRIKEOUTS
Landon Mueller struck out a career-high seven batters in his relief appearances at Miami, March 8, and at Ball State, March 14, as he totals 14 strikeouts and three walks in his last two appearances. His seven strikeouts in one appearance out of the bullpen are the most by an EMU reliever since current Philadelphia Phillies prospect Luke Russo fanned 11 in five relief innings against Miami, April 11, 2022, a day that saw the pitching staff sit down 17 as a team via the strikeout, the most in program history in a single game since 1999.

WEAVER WHACKS TWO
Junior catcher Nick Weaver recorded the first multi-homer game of his NCAA career as he went deep twice at Ball State, March 15. He homered in the fourth and sixth innings, marking the second time an Eagle has recorded multiple home runs this season. The first was Ty Stecko in a 7-6 win at Austin Peay, Feb. 20.

LETHAL ARM BEHIND THE PLATE
Nick Weaver continues to rank among the top defensive catchers in college baseball entering the series against Akron. Weaver has thrown out 11 runners attempting to steal in 24 attempts. That total places him tied for fifth nationally in caught stealing. The national leader sits at 15. Weaver's 11 caught stealing matches several prominent programs across the country and places him firmly in the national conversation at his position. His 45.8% caught-stealing rate ranks among the strongest in the country among catchers with double-digit attempts against them. Weaver most recently threw out one Cardinal in the series finale, March 15.

13 BULLPEN STRIKEOUTS/15 TOTAL K'S
The EMU bullpen continued its strong season against Miami, March 8, striking out 13 RedHawks and allowing just four earned runs over 7.1 innings of work. Thirteen strikeouts from the bullpen are the most from the Eagles since they struck out 15 opposing batters against Miami, April 11, 2022, a day that saw the pitching staff sit down 17 as a team via the strikeout, the most in program history in a single game since 1999. Eastern struck out a total of 15 RedHawks in the series finale, March 8, the third-most in a single game since 1999, third most in the MAC, and 11th most nationally by value.

NINTH INNING COMEBACK EFFORTS
Eastern has outscored its opponent 8-1 in the ninth inning this season and 18-9 in the eighth and ninth innings combined. Eastern scored one run in the ninth inning at Ball State, March 13, and three runs in the eighth in the series finale, March 15.

POWER PRODUCTION
Eastern Michigan has hit 24 home runs through 20 games, ranking third in the Mid-American Conference and 68th nationally. Devan Zirwas and Ty Stecko lead the way with seven and five home runs, respectively. Nick Weaver has burst onto the scene with a trio of bombs, two of which came last weekend at Ball State, while Nathan Borchardt, John Hale and Keegan Knupp have each chipped in two long balls. Zirwas' seven homers rank third in the MAC and 59th in the country.

BORCHARDT BATTING WELL
A newcomer to the NCAA Division I stage, Nathan Borchardt has done well at the plate thus far. He leads the Eagles with a .333 batting average with 18 hits, six doubles and two home runs, totaling 10 RBI and 30 total bases. Borchardt batted .429 with six hits, four doubles, and two RBU while drawing two walks and striking out once in the Ball State series, March 13-15. He has five multi-hit games this season, the second most on the team. He also leads the team with a .438 average with runners in scoring position while advancing runners at a .536 rate.

STECKO'S HOT STICK
Ty Stecko's five home runs rank him fourth in the MAC and his 11 RBI puts him at eighth in the conference by value. Stecko also ranks among the top-10 in the MAC for walks (7th - 14), and stolen bases (8th - five). Stecko most recently batted .284 with four hits, one double, and five RBI in the Ball State series, March 13-15. He is three hits from reaching 100 in his career.

TJ'S BEST D1 SEASON
After seeing limited playing time at Kansas in the 2025 season, TJ Williams has been one of the most consistent contributors in the lineup, in 18 games played, he's hitting .292 with a .418 on-base percentage, both of which rank third on the team. He is tied for the team lead with 19 hits and ranks among the top offensive producers in total bases (24), while also showing plate discipline with 14 walks and 10 strikeouts, the best walk-to-strikeout ratio on the squad. On the base paths, Williams has been a key weapon, leading the team with seven stolen bases in nine attempts, ranking sixth in the MAC. Situationally, he has been effective, hitting .333 with runners on base and .333 against lefties.

STRONG PLATE DISCIPLINE
The Eagles have drawn 98 walks in 20 games. That total ranks 96th nationally and third in the Mid-American Conference. Twenty games into the season, Ty Stecko and TJ Williams have worked 14 walks each, leading the Eagles and ranking seventh in the MAC. Also showing a good eye at the dish is John Hale and Bruce Jellison who have each worked 12 walks compared to 11 strikeouts.

TEAM-LEADING ZIRWAS
Devan Zirwas leads the roster with 19 hits, 13 extra-base hits (five doubles, one triple, and seven home runs), 21 RBI, 47 total bases, and a .610 slugging percentage while his .966 OPS stands second. Currently ranking third in the MAC in home runs (seven) and RBI (21), while slotting fifth in doubles (five), Zirwas looks to build off a season where he totaled 69 hits, 20 doubles (fifth in program history), eight homers, and 53 RBI off a .337 batting average and .997 OPS.

CLUTCH WITH TWO OUTS
Eastern Michigan has received strong two-out production from the heart of the order. Ty Stecko has 11 two-out RBI, Drew Jones has eight, John Hale has seven, and Devan Zirwas has six. Nathan Borchardt is hitting .429 with two outs (6-for-14), Drew Jones hits .400 (6-for-15), John Hale bats .368 (7-for-19), Nick Weaver is batting .385 (5-for-13), while Demir Heidelberg hits .500 in limited opportunities (3-for-6).

BULLPEN PRODUCTION
Outside of the Vanderbilt series, Feb. 17-18, the Eastern bullpen has allowed 71 earned runs in 89.0 innings of work. Emmett Gillies is a highlight out of the bullpen, owning a 1-1 record with a 4.05 ERA in seven relief appearances. Over 6.2 innings, he has allowed five hits, three earned runs, and struck out seven while walking four as opponents are hitting .208 against him. Fischer Hendershot joins him with six relief appearances with a 5.23 ERA, allowing eight hits off a .229 average with two saves, which ranks second in the MAC.

PINCH HIT PRODUCTION
Eastern Michigan has received timely results off the bench. Kevin Krill owns a .500 pinch hitting average (2-for-4). Drew Jones, Nathan Borchardt, Ben Schechterman, Demir Heidelberg, Brue Jellison, and John Hale also hold pinch hits this season. Eastern was 0-for-3 in pinch-hit situations in the Ball State series, March 13-15.

ON THE HORIZON
Eastern hosts Youngstown State University in a non-conference midweek game Tuesday, March 24, at 3 p.m. Admission is free at Oestrike Stadium in Ypsilanti, Mich.

FOLLOW US
Keep up with all things Eastern baseball by following the team on X @EMU Baseball, and on Instagram @emu baseball.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Nathan Borchardt

Tristan Crane

Emmett Gillies

John Hale

Demir Heidelberg

Fischer Hendershot

Bruce Jellison

Drew Jones

Keegan Knupp

Kevin Krill

Landon Mueller

Cal Rutherford

Ben Schechterman

Ty Stecko

Nick Weaver

TJ Williams

Devan Zirwas

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