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YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University baseball team (18-31, 9-12 Mid-American Conference) hits the road for a three-game MAC West series this weekend when they head to Toledo, Ohio to take on the University of Toledo Rockets (20-23, 13-8 MAC), May 8-10, at Scott Park Field. Game one is scheduled for 3 p.m., while games two and three are slated for 1 p.m.
EMU holds an 82-42 all-time mark against the Rockets, including nine wins in the last 12 games. The Eagles won the only two games against UT last season, claiming a 3-2 win, May 9, and an 8-2 win, May 10, at Oestrike Stadium.
The Eagles and Central Michigan University both sit four games back of the Rockets, who currently sit atop the MAC West with a three-game lead over second place Ball State University. In the MAC East, Kent State University leads the division with a conference-best mark of 14-6 this season. Bowling Green State University remains a game back of the Golden Flashes, while Miami University and Ohio University each remain and game and a half back of KSU. The top three teams in each division, and the next two teams (regardless of division) with the best overall winning percentage qualify for the MAC Tournament, May 20-23, in Chillicothe, Ohio.
LOOKING AHEAD: After a non-conference tilt with the Ohio State University Buckeyes, May 12, in Columbus, the Eagles wrap up the regular season at home with a three-game set against Central Michigan with MAC Tournament implications on the line. Going into this weekend, both EMU and CMU hold a 9-12 mark in league play, as the Chips head to Kalamazoo this weekend for a three-game set with Western Michigan.
AWARD WINNING EAGLES: Redshirt sophomore pitcher Corey Chaffins (New London, Ohio-New London) earned MAC West Pitcher of the Week Honors this past week, while sophomore Matt Skirving (Midland, Mich.-H.H. Dow) picked up MAC West Player of the Week accolades. Chaffins tallied a career-best 14 strikeouts against Ball State, May 1, while Skirving hit .400 (8-for-20) with four home runs and 10 RBI in five games last week.
STOP, THIEF!: Senior Kyle Rhoad (Fostoria, Ohio-Elmwood) has pilfered 28 stolen bases in 29 attempts this season and needs three more to tie Greg Howe and Brian Bixler for the single season record. Rhoad ranks 19th in the nation in stolen bases. In his career, Rhoad has 62 career stolen bases, good for seventh all-time in EMU baseball history. He needs four more to pass Pat Sheridan and Don DeDonatis for third all-time in EMU baseball history.
MARSHALL LAW: Junior Andrew Marshall (Mason, Mich.-Mason) ranks second on the team with 13 home runs this season. His 13 bombs tie Brian Bixler and Rob Sepanek for the ninth most in a single season in EMU baseball history. In his career, Marshall has 22 home runs, tying him for 11th all-time with Rob Sepanek.
BOMBS AWAY!: The Eagles have belted 72 home runs as a team this season, good for second in the MAC behind Ohio. Nationally, the Eagles rank 22nd in home runs going into this week. Elon and New Mexico rank first in the nation with 104 homers as a team this season.
CLIMBING THE LADDER: Matt Skirving has belted a team-best 14 home runs this season, including five of the last seven games. Skirving’s 14 homers ties him with Brett Roach and Greg Anglin for the seventh most in a single season in EMU baseball history. The all-time single season record is held by Ryan Goleski, who belted 22 home runs for the Eagles in 2002.
GOING STREAKING: Kyle Rhoad is currently riding a team-best 15-game hitting streak, dating back to April 15. Junior Todd Graves (St. Mary’s, Ohio-St. Mary’s Memorial) is just behind Rhoad with a 13-game hitting streak of his own.