Eastern Michigan Athletics
Wednesday, May 6
Youngstown, Ohio
5 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
16-30
15
at
5
Youngstown State
10-37
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Mich. | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 14 | 1 |
| Youngstown St. | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 1 |
Zirwas Leads Baseball in Dominant Offensive Victory Over Youngstown State
5/6/2026 9:15:00 PM | Baseball
The senior recorded four hits, five RBI, one double, and one home run
NILES, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – Senior outfielder Devan Zirwas led the Eastern Michigan University baseball team in a ferocious offensive performance, driving in four runs off five hits as the Eagles erupted for 15 runs on 14 hits to defeat Youngstown State University, 15-5, in a non-conference game Wednesday, May 6, at 717 Credit Union Field at Eastwood.
Zirwas (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny/VCU) has 13 home runs on the season, tying for second in the MAC as he reached the 100-RBI mark as an Eagle.
Eastern homered three times as the bullpen complemented the offense, tossing a scoreless 6.2 innings with senior right-hander Michael Pfeiffer (Brownsboro, Ala./Huntsville/Northwest-Shoals C.C.) (2-4) earning the win. He pitched two scoreless outings in the third and fourth innings.
How it Happened
Eastern Michigan wasted no time striking first, opening the scoring in the top of the first. John Hale (Ashland City, Tenn./Sycamore/Motlow State C.C.) crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly from Zirwas and Leewood Molessa (Pullman, W. Va./Williamstown/UMBC) singled to center to bring in Ty Stecko (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin/Mount St. Mary's) for a quick 2-0 lead. Youngstown State immediately answered with a two-run single in the second, knotting the contest at 2-2 after two innings.
The game's turning point came in the fourth inning, where the Eagles unleashed an eight-run outburst. Drew Jones (Cleveland, Ohio/Brush/Ohio State) rocketed a three-run home run, his second of the year, and TJ Williams (Racine, Wis./Racine Horlick/Kansas) roped an RBI double down the right-field line to highlight the frame. Bruce Jellison (Hartland, Mich./Hartland/Wabash Valley), Stecko, and Zirwas also recorded RBI in the inning.
Youngstown State got three runs back in the fifth on a three-run homer, but the Eagles responded quickly. In the sixth, Jellison launched a three-run shot to left center, extending the margin to 14-5. Zirwas added the exclamation point in the ninth with a solo home run to right, sealing a dominant all-around performance for the Green and White.
Game Notes
» Eastern's record advanced to 16-30 (9-18 MAC), and Youngstown State's dropped to 10-37 (7-11 Horizon).
» With the win, Eastern has swept its Horizon League opponents for the first time since the 2013 season when it swept Northern Kentucky in a two-game set, March 15-16.
» After the victory, Eastern has won four of its last six games.
» Eastern season-highs with 15 runs and 15 RBI, figures first reached against UMass, April 12. Eastern finished with 14 hits, its fourth-highest total of the year and 16th time with double-digit knocks. The Green and White also tied a season-high with three home runs.
» Eastern scored eight runs in the fourth inning, tying for its highest single-inning total this season. EMU first scored eight runs in one inning in the second game of the season, a 11-6 win at Little Rock, Feb. 14. Overall, Eastern has 15 innings scoring four or more runs this season.
» EMU outhit its opponent for the 15th time this season, producing a 10-5 record in such games. The Eagles recorded 12 hits in total, marking their 16th game with double-digit hits this season as they hold a 6-9 record when meeting the mark.
» Eastern was hit by five pitches, its third-highest single-game total in the modern statistical era. The figure is EMU's second-highest total of the season as it has been plunked 71 times this season, its fifth-highest total since 1999.
» Drew Jones homered for the second time this season with a three-run blast in the Eagles' eight-run fourth inning. Collecting a season-high three RBI on one swing of the bat, Jones is up to four multi-RBI games in 2026.
» Devan Zirwas had a 4-for-5 day at the plate with one double, one home run, and five RBI, marking his team-best 14th multi-hit game and 11th contest with multiple RBI. Zirwas is four RBI from breaking into the program's career leaderboards as he would be tied for 25th with 104 RBI.
» Devan Zirwas' ninth-inning home run was his 13th of the season, leading the team and ranking second in the MAC. His 15 home runs are the most by an Eagle since the 2023 season when St. Louis Cardinals prospect Josh Kross hit 15.
» Michael Pfeiffer (2-4) earned his second win of the season as he tossed a scoreless 2.0 innings while allowing just one hit.
» The Eastern bullpen pitched well as Pfeiffer, Emmett Gillies (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley/Akron), Ethan Rowland (Lafayette, Ca./Acalanes/St. Peter's), and Henry Slaby (Avon Lake, Ohio/St. Edward) allowed zero runs over 6.2 innings of work with six strikeouts and four walks. Both Rowland and Slaby struck out a career-best three batters.
» Bruce Jellison hit his career-best third home run of the season with a three-run long ball in the sixth inning. Jellison finished the day with a career-high four RBI, marking the senior's seventh multi-RBI game this season.
» TJ Williams knocked three hits for his 11th multi-hit game and recorded his third double, scoring a runner from second base in the fourth inning for his seventh RBI of the year.
» Nathan Borchardt (Stanley, N.C./East Lincoln/King) walked three times, his fifth time with multiple walks this season. He leads the team with 29 walks while striking out 26 times. Borchardt also recorded a pair of singles for his 11th game with multiple hits and sixth time in his last 10 games doing so.
»Ty Stecko stole a career-best three bases, the most from an Eagle in one game this year and fourth-most in the MAC. Stecko also recorded two hits and one RBI, marking his 13th game with multiple hits and 97th career RBI.
Historical Notes
» Eastern and Youngstown State met for the seventh time. EMU holds a 4-3 record when facing the Penguins and a 1-1 record when facing them on the road. The game marked just the second true road game for the Eagles in the series as the first game seven years ago in the 2019 season, a game EMU lost 10-4, May 1.
» Eastern has won three consecutive games against Youngstown State, marking the longest winning streak for either team in the series.
» After his ninth-inning homer, Devan Zirwas has 100 RBI as an Eagle. It marked his 22nd as an Eagle, tying for 14th by value in program history. His double marked his 33rd in the Green and White, slotting 18th in program annals.
Up Next
Eastern travels to Kent, Ohio, for a three-game Mid-American Conference series against MAC first place Kent State Friday-Sunday, May 8-10, at Schoonover Stadium.
Follow Us
Keep up with all things Eastern baseball by following the team on X @EMU Baseball and on Instagram @emu_baseball.
Zirwas (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny/VCU) has 13 home runs on the season, tying for second in the MAC as he reached the 100-RBI mark as an Eagle.
Eastern homered three times as the bullpen complemented the offense, tossing a scoreless 6.2 innings with senior right-hander Michael Pfeiffer (Brownsboro, Ala./Huntsville/Northwest-Shoals C.C.) (2-4) earning the win. He pitched two scoreless outings in the third and fourth innings.
How it Happened
Eastern Michigan wasted no time striking first, opening the scoring in the top of the first. John Hale (Ashland City, Tenn./Sycamore/Motlow State C.C.) crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly from Zirwas and Leewood Molessa (Pullman, W. Va./Williamstown/UMBC) singled to center to bring in Ty Stecko (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin/Mount St. Mary's) for a quick 2-0 lead. Youngstown State immediately answered with a two-run single in the second, knotting the contest at 2-2 after two innings.
The game's turning point came in the fourth inning, where the Eagles unleashed an eight-run outburst. Drew Jones (Cleveland, Ohio/Brush/Ohio State) rocketed a three-run home run, his second of the year, and TJ Williams (Racine, Wis./Racine Horlick/Kansas) roped an RBI double down the right-field line to highlight the frame. Bruce Jellison (Hartland, Mich./Hartland/Wabash Valley), Stecko, and Zirwas also recorded RBI in the inning.
Youngstown State got three runs back in the fifth on a three-run homer, but the Eagles responded quickly. In the sixth, Jellison launched a three-run shot to left center, extending the margin to 14-5. Zirwas added the exclamation point in the ninth with a solo home run to right, sealing a dominant all-around performance for the Green and White.
Game Notes
» Eastern's record advanced to 16-30 (9-18 MAC), and Youngstown State's dropped to 10-37 (7-11 Horizon).
» With the win, Eastern has swept its Horizon League opponents for the first time since the 2013 season when it swept Northern Kentucky in a two-game set, March 15-16.
» After the victory, Eastern has won four of its last six games.
» Eastern season-highs with 15 runs and 15 RBI, figures first reached against UMass, April 12. Eastern finished with 14 hits, its fourth-highest total of the year and 16th time with double-digit knocks. The Green and White also tied a season-high with three home runs.
» Eastern scored eight runs in the fourth inning, tying for its highest single-inning total this season. EMU first scored eight runs in one inning in the second game of the season, a 11-6 win at Little Rock, Feb. 14. Overall, Eastern has 15 innings scoring four or more runs this season.
» EMU outhit its opponent for the 15th time this season, producing a 10-5 record in such games. The Eagles recorded 12 hits in total, marking their 16th game with double-digit hits this season as they hold a 6-9 record when meeting the mark.
» Eastern was hit by five pitches, its third-highest single-game total in the modern statistical era. The figure is EMU's second-highest total of the season as it has been plunked 71 times this season, its fifth-highest total since 1999.
» Drew Jones homered for the second time this season with a three-run blast in the Eagles' eight-run fourth inning. Collecting a season-high three RBI on one swing of the bat, Jones is up to four multi-RBI games in 2026.
» Devan Zirwas had a 4-for-5 day at the plate with one double, one home run, and five RBI, marking his team-best 14th multi-hit game and 11th contest with multiple RBI. Zirwas is four RBI from breaking into the program's career leaderboards as he would be tied for 25th with 104 RBI.
» Devan Zirwas' ninth-inning home run was his 13th of the season, leading the team and ranking second in the MAC. His 15 home runs are the most by an Eagle since the 2023 season when St. Louis Cardinals prospect Josh Kross hit 15.
» Michael Pfeiffer (2-4) earned his second win of the season as he tossed a scoreless 2.0 innings while allowing just one hit.
» The Eastern bullpen pitched well as Pfeiffer, Emmett Gillies (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley/Akron), Ethan Rowland (Lafayette, Ca./Acalanes/St. Peter's), and Henry Slaby (Avon Lake, Ohio/St. Edward) allowed zero runs over 6.2 innings of work with six strikeouts and four walks. Both Rowland and Slaby struck out a career-best three batters.
» Bruce Jellison hit his career-best third home run of the season with a three-run long ball in the sixth inning. Jellison finished the day with a career-high four RBI, marking the senior's seventh multi-RBI game this season.
» TJ Williams knocked three hits for his 11th multi-hit game and recorded his third double, scoring a runner from second base in the fourth inning for his seventh RBI of the year.
» Nathan Borchardt (Stanley, N.C./East Lincoln/King) walked three times, his fifth time with multiple walks this season. He leads the team with 29 walks while striking out 26 times. Borchardt also recorded a pair of singles for his 11th game with multiple hits and sixth time in his last 10 games doing so.
»Ty Stecko stole a career-best three bases, the most from an Eagle in one game this year and fourth-most in the MAC. Stecko also recorded two hits and one RBI, marking his 13th game with multiple hits and 97th career RBI.
Historical Notes
» Eastern and Youngstown State met for the seventh time. EMU holds a 4-3 record when facing the Penguins and a 1-1 record when facing them on the road. The game marked just the second true road game for the Eagles in the series as the first game seven years ago in the 2019 season, a game EMU lost 10-4, May 1.
» Eastern has won three consecutive games against Youngstown State, marking the longest winning streak for either team in the series.
» After his ninth-inning homer, Devan Zirwas has 100 RBI as an Eagle. It marked his 22nd as an Eagle, tying for 14th by value in program history. His double marked his 33rd in the Green and White, slotting 18th in program annals.
Up Next
Eastern travels to Kent, Ohio, for a three-game Mid-American Conference series against MAC first place Kent State Friday-Sunday, May 8-10, at Schoonover Stadium.
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: Pfeiffer, Michael (2-4)
L: Mikey Rodriques (0-4)
Batting:
2B: Zirwas, Devan 1 ; Williams, TJ 1
HR: Jellison, Bruce 1 ; Zirwas, Devan 1 ; Jones, Drew 1
RBI: Jellison, Bruce 4 ; Stecko, Ty 1 ; Zirwas, Devan 5 ; Molessa, Leewood 1 ; Jones, Drew 3 ; Williams, TJ 1
SH: Jones, Drew 1
SF: Zirwas, Devan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hale, John 2 ; Sydlowski, Kriss 1 ; Jellison, Bruce 2 ; Stecko, Ty 3 ; Zirwas, Devan 1 ; Molessa, Leewood 1 ; Borchardt, Nathan 1 ; Jones, Drew 1 ; Knupp, Keegan 1 ; Williams, TJ 2
SB: Stecko, Ty 3 ; Molessa, Leewood 1 ; Williams, TJ 1
HBP: Hale, John 1 ; Sydlowski, Kriss 1 ; Jellison, Bruce 1 ; Knupp, Keegan 1 ; Williams, TJ 1
Batting:
2B: Brady Shannon 1 ; Misael Uriepero 1 ; James Carlson 1
HR: Ryan Schummer 1
RBI: Ryan Schummer 3 ; Chyran Humphries 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Nathan Beckley 1 ; Brady Shannon 1 ; Ryan Schummer 1 ; Nic Goodwin 1 ; James Carlson 1
SB: Brady Shannon 1
CS: Teddy Ruffner 1
Game Leaders
AB
5
R
1
H
4
RBI
5
AB
4
R
2
H
3
RBI
1
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
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