Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, April 3
Toledo, Ohio
12 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
10-19, 5-9
4
at
6
Toledo
14-15, 10-4
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Mich. | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 0 |
| Toledo | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | X | 6 | 7 | 0 |
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Hale Tallies Six Hits in Doubleheader at Toledo
4/3/2026 6:54:00 PM | Baseball
Eastern returns home for Monday game against Michigan
TOLEDO, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – John Hale recorded six hits over two games as the Eastern Michigan University baseball team was swept in a doubleheader by Mid-American Conference rival University of Toledo Friday, April 3, falling 6-4 in the opener and 23-8 in the nightcap at Scott Park.
Eastern fell in a back-and-forth first game, 6-4, as runs in three of the last four innings weren't enough to overcome a 5-1 deficit through five innings. Michael Pfeiffer (Brownsboro, Ala./Huntsville/Northwest-Shoals C.C.) (1-3) got his eighth start of the season and struck out a season-high five batters over 4.0 innings of work, eventually being tagged with the loss. Toledo's Hayden Frey (3-0) earned the victory.
The second game saw Eastern lead 5-1, but Toledo exploded for 14 runs in the fifth inning to take control. Cal Rutherford (Canton, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central) lasted 3.1 innings, allowing four runs. Cole Egan (Pittsburgh, Pa./West Allegheny/George Mason) (2-2) was tagged with the loss while Sam Rufenacht (1-0) was credited with the win for Toledo.
Pitching proved costly across both games, with Eastern deploying eight arms in the finale. The staff allowed 23 runs (21 earned) on 16 hits and nine walks in just seven innings—the most runs and largest margin of defeat for the Eagles this season. Despite the results, Eastern's lineup continued recent trends of improved hitting and aggressive baserunning, stealing a combined eight bases across the doubleheader, and notching multiple extra-base hits. The results, however, are a step back in the MAC standings and a reminder of the work ahead if the program hopes to contend down the stretch.
How it Happened - Game One
Toledo jumped in front early. The Eagles struck first on a solo home run from Devan Zirwas (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny/VCU) in the top of the first, but the Rockets answered with two runs in the bottom half and stretched their lead with home runs in the third and fifth innings.
Despite a late solo shot from Bruce Jellison (Hartland, Mich./Hartland/Wabash Valley) and a ninth-inning RBI from Nick Weaver (Streamwood, Ill./Streamwood/Elgin C.C.), the Eagles could not overcome seven men left on base, dropping the contest 6-4.
How it Happened - Game Two
Game 2 saw the Eagles' offense again flash potential, as Eastern jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the third inning thanks to a two-run single from Keegan Knupp (Lewis Center,, Ohio/Olentangy Orange) and an RBI double by Ty Stecko (North Huntingdon, Pa./Mount St. Mary's).
John Hale (Ashland City, Tenn./Sycamore/Motlow State C.C.) delivered a three-hit day, while Leewood Molessa (Pullman, W. Va./UMBC) blasted his first home run of the season and matched his career high with three runs scored. However, Toledo responded with a stunning 14-run fifth inning, including two grand slams and 34 minutes before Eastern recorded an out, turning a close contest into a runaway and ultimately ending the game after seven innings under the run rule.
Game Notes - Game One
» Eastern's record shifted to 10-19 (5-9 MAC), and Toledo's improved to 14-15 (10-4 MAC).
» Eastern pitching struck out 10 batters for its sixth game with double-digit strikeouts this season. It also issued a season-low two walks for the sixth time in 2026.
» Eastern's bullpen had another strong outing, allowing two earned runs over 4.0 innings of work with five strikeouts and zero walks. The bullpen has allowed 102 earned runs over 133.2 innings this season.
» Eastern outhit its opponent for the 10th time this season with nine hits to the Rockets' seven. EMU is 6-4 when outhitting its foe.
» Eastern homered multiple times for the eighth time this season and for the first time since it left the yard three times at Ball State, March 15.
» Devan Zirwas homered for a team-leading 10th time this season. His 10 homers are a career-high and rank second in the MAC. Zirwas left the playing field eight times in 51 games last season as he has recorded 10 in just 29 games this season. The RBI marked his team-leading 33rd of the year, slotting third in the conference. Zirwas' homer went down as his 14th two-out RBI this season, a figure that ties for the most on the squad.
» John Hale (Ashland City, Tenn./Sycamore/Motlow State C.C.) secured his seventh multi-hit game of the season with a season-high three hits. His seven multi-hit outings are the second-most on the team.
» Drew Jones (Cleveland, Ohio/Brush/Ohio State) roped an RBI-double to center field in the sixth inning. The double went down as his third extra-base hit of the season, second double, and ninth RBI.
» Bruce Jellison homered for the second time this season with a solo shot to right field in the eighth inning. His two homers are a career-high. He has homered in consecutive series after tallying his first long ball of the season against Central Michigan, March 28. He extended his hitting streak to eight straight games, the longest of his career and one game shy of tying for the longest on the team, held by Demir Heidelberg (Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor).
» Keegan Knupp recorded his fourth multi-hit game of the season with a 2-for-4 day from the plate while stealing his fourth base of the season.
» Michael Pfeiffer struck out a season-high five batters in his eighth start of the season.
» Carter White (Shelby County, Ky./Shelby County/Lincoln Memorial) allowed one run while striking out three Rockets in his ninth appearance of the season. He tied a season-long 2.1 innings on the mound after first doing so against Michigan State, March 10.
Game Notes - Game Two
» Eastern's record shifted to 10-20 (5-10 MAC), and Toledo's improved to 15-15 (11-4 MAC).
» Eastern has eight-straight games with at least one stolen base, its second-longest streak of the season (11). EMU had four steals for the third time this season, two short of its season high against Youngstown State, March 24.
» John Hale secured his eighth multi-hit game of the season with a season-high three hits. His eight multi-hit outings are the second-most on the team.
» Leewood Molessa (Pullman, W. Va./Williamstown/UMBC) whacked his first home run in the Green and White, a deep shot to left field in the fifth inning. Molessa had two hits, his second multi-hit game of the season. He tallied three against Central Michigan, March 27.
» Bruce Jellison recorded two hits, his fifth multi-hit game of the season. He extended his hitting streak to nine straight games, the longest of his career and matching Demir Heidelberg for the longest on the team.
» Nick Weaver threw out his 16th runner behind the plate.
Historical Notes - Game One
» The Eagles and Rockets met for the 180th time. Overall, Eastern holds the lead in the series with a 101-77 all-time record against Toledo and a 14-27 record when facing it in the Glass City since 1999.
Historical Notes - Game Two
» The Eagles and Rockets met for the 181st time. Overall, Eastern holds the lead in the series with a 101-78 all-time record against Toledo and a 14-28 record when facing it in the Glass City since 1999.
Up Next
Eastern hosts the University of Michigan in a cross-county rivalry Monday, April 6, 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 fell in a back-and-forth first game, 6-4, as runs in three of the last four innings weren't enough to overcome a 5-1 deficit through five innings. Michael Pfeiffer (Brownsboro, Ala./Huntsville/Northwest-Shoals C.C.) (1-3) got his eighth start of the season and struck out a season-high five batters over 4.0 innings of work, eventually being tagged with the loss. Toledo's Hayden Frey (3-0) earned the victory.
The second game saw Eastern lead 5-1, but Toledo exploded for 14 runs in the fifth inning to take control. Cal Rutherford (Canton, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central) lasted 3.1 innings, allowing four runs. Cole Egan (Pittsburgh, Pa./West Allegheny/George Mason) (2-2) was tagged with the loss while Sam Rufenacht (1-0) was credited with the win for Toledo.
Pitching proved costly across both games, with Eastern deploying eight arms in the finale. The staff allowed 23 runs (21 earned) on 16 hits and nine walks in just seven innings—the most runs and largest margin of defeat for the Eagles this season. Despite the results, Eastern's lineup continued recent trends of improved hitting and aggressive baserunning, stealing a combined eight bases across the doubleheader, and notching multiple extra-base hits. The results, however, are a step back in the MAC standings and a reminder of the work ahead if the program hopes to contend down the stretch.
How it Happened - Game One
Toledo jumped in front early. The Eagles struck first on a solo home run from Devan Zirwas (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny/VCU) in the top of the first, but the Rockets answered with two runs in the bottom half and stretched their lead with home runs in the third and fifth innings.
Despite a late solo shot from Bruce Jellison (Hartland, Mich./Hartland/Wabash Valley) and a ninth-inning RBI from Nick Weaver (Streamwood, Ill./Streamwood/Elgin C.C.), the Eagles could not overcome seven men left on base, dropping the contest 6-4.
How it Happened - Game Two
Game 2 saw the Eagles' offense again flash potential, as Eastern jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the third inning thanks to a two-run single from Keegan Knupp (Lewis Center,, Ohio/Olentangy Orange) and an RBI double by Ty Stecko (North Huntingdon, Pa./Mount St. Mary's).
John Hale (Ashland City, Tenn./Sycamore/Motlow State C.C.) delivered a three-hit day, while Leewood Molessa (Pullman, W. Va./UMBC) blasted his first home run of the season and matched his career high with three runs scored. However, Toledo responded with a stunning 14-run fifth inning, including two grand slams and 34 minutes before Eastern recorded an out, turning a close contest into a runaway and ultimately ending the game after seven innings under the run rule.
Game Notes - Game One
» Eastern's record shifted to 10-19 (5-9 MAC), and Toledo's improved to 14-15 (10-4 MAC).
» Eastern pitching struck out 10 batters for its sixth game with double-digit strikeouts this season. It also issued a season-low two walks for the sixth time in 2026.
» Eastern's bullpen had another strong outing, allowing two earned runs over 4.0 innings of work with five strikeouts and zero walks. The bullpen has allowed 102 earned runs over 133.2 innings this season.
» Eastern outhit its opponent for the 10th time this season with nine hits to the Rockets' seven. EMU is 6-4 when outhitting its foe.
» Eastern homered multiple times for the eighth time this season and for the first time since it left the yard three times at Ball State, March 15.
» Devan Zirwas homered for a team-leading 10th time this season. His 10 homers are a career-high and rank second in the MAC. Zirwas left the playing field eight times in 51 games last season as he has recorded 10 in just 29 games this season. The RBI marked his team-leading 33rd of the year, slotting third in the conference. Zirwas' homer went down as his 14th two-out RBI this season, a figure that ties for the most on the squad.
» John Hale (Ashland City, Tenn./Sycamore/Motlow State C.C.) secured his seventh multi-hit game of the season with a season-high three hits. His seven multi-hit outings are the second-most on the team.
» Drew Jones (Cleveland, Ohio/Brush/Ohio State) roped an RBI-double to center field in the sixth inning. The double went down as his third extra-base hit of the season, second double, and ninth RBI.
» Bruce Jellison homered for the second time this season with a solo shot to right field in the eighth inning. His two homers are a career-high. He has homered in consecutive series after tallying his first long ball of the season against Central Michigan, March 28. He extended his hitting streak to eight straight games, the longest of his career and one game shy of tying for the longest on the team, held by Demir Heidelberg (Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor).
» Keegan Knupp recorded his fourth multi-hit game of the season with a 2-for-4 day from the plate while stealing his fourth base of the season.
» Michael Pfeiffer struck out a season-high five batters in his eighth start of the season.
» Carter White (Shelby County, Ky./Shelby County/Lincoln Memorial) allowed one run while striking out three Rockets in his ninth appearance of the season. He tied a season-long 2.1 innings on the mound after first doing so against Michigan State, March 10.
Game Notes - Game Two
» Eastern's record shifted to 10-20 (5-10 MAC), and Toledo's improved to 15-15 (11-4 MAC).
» Eastern has eight-straight games with at least one stolen base, its second-longest streak of the season (11). EMU had four steals for the third time this season, two short of its season high against Youngstown State, March 24.
» John Hale secured his eighth multi-hit game of the season with a season-high three hits. His eight multi-hit outings are the second-most on the team.
» Leewood Molessa (Pullman, W. Va./Williamstown/UMBC) whacked his first home run in the Green and White, a deep shot to left field in the fifth inning. Molessa had two hits, his second multi-hit game of the season. He tallied three against Central Michigan, March 27.
» Bruce Jellison recorded two hits, his fifth multi-hit game of the season. He extended his hitting streak to nine straight games, the longest of his career and matching Demir Heidelberg for the longest on the team.
» Nick Weaver threw out his 16th runner behind the plate.
Historical Notes - Game One
» The Eagles and Rockets met for the 180th time. Overall, Eastern holds the lead in the series with a 101-77 all-time record against Toledo and a 14-27 record when facing it in the Glass City since 1999.
Historical Notes - Game Two
» The Eagles and Rockets met for the 181st time. Overall, Eastern holds the lead in the series with a 101-78 all-time record against Toledo and a 14-28 record when facing it in the Glass City since 1999.
Up Next
Eastern hosts the University of Michigan in a cross-county rivalry Monday, April 6, 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.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Hayden Frey (3-0)
L: Pfeiffer, Michael (1-3)
S: Michael Fliss (2)
Batting:
2B: Jones, Drew 1
HR: Zirwas, Devan 1 ; Jellison, Bruce 1
RBI: Weaver, Nick 1 ; Zirwas, Devan 1 ; Jellison, Bruce 1 ; Jones, Drew 1
SF: Weaver, Nick 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Zirwas, Devan 1 ; Jellison, Bruce 2 ; Hale, John 1
SB: Williams, TJ 1 ; Zirwas, Devan 1 ; Knupp, Keegan 1 ; Hale, John 1
CS: Knupp, Keegan 1
Batting:
2B: Luke Walton 1
HR: Cade Baker 1 ; Jacob Payne 1
RBI: Cade Baker 1 ; Jacob Payne 3 ; Luke Walton 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cade Baker 2 ; Charlie Scholvin 2 ; Jacob Payne 2
CS: Alex McCranie 1
HBP: Charlie Scholvin 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
5
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
4
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
OF
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INF
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UTIL
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INF
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RHP
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RHP
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C
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LHP
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