Game Notes (PDF)
Live Stats
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Coming off a split against the University of Arkansas-Little Rock, the Eastern Michigan University baseball team makes the trek to the Music City for a three-game set against the Bruins from Belmont University, March 5-6, at Shelby Park in Nashville, Tenn. Game one is scheduled for Friday, March 5, at 3 p.m. (CT) before two teams play a doubleheader on Saturday, March 6, beginning at 1 p.m. (CT).
EMU VERSUS BELMONT: The Eagles and Bruins will be meeting for the first time this weekend. EMU enters Friday’s game with a 3-5 mark this season, while BU comes in undefeated at 8-0 after topping No. 23 ranked Western Kentucky, March 3, in Nashville.
THE COACHES: EMU’s Jay Alexander enters Friday’s game with a 189-189 career record, including a 28-40 mark in his second season with the Eagles. Belmont’s Dave Jarvis is in his 12th season at Belmont and has a career record of 662-465-1 spanning 21 seasons.
COMMON THREADS: The Eagles and Bruins have three common opponents slated for the 2010 season, as both squads will play or have already played Cleveland State, Arkansas-Little Rock and North Florida.
GOING STREAKING: Junior Ken Battiston (West Milton, Ohio-Milton Union) extended his hitting streak to eight games in EMU’s 7-6 win over Arkansas-Little Rock, March 3, as he went 2-for-6 at the plate with a home run, three runs scored and two RBI. Battiston is hitting .387 this season and leads the team with a .667 slugging percentage.
FIRST-CAREER WINS: Sophomore left hander Collin Taylor (Cincinnati, Ohio-Lakota West) and freshman hurler Joe Battistelli (Allen Park, Mich.-Allen Park) recorded their first-career victories recently, both in solid relief efforts. Taylor picked up the win in EMU’s 10-8 win over North Florida, Feb. 28, while Battistelli earned the victory in the Eagles’ 7-6 victory over Arkansas-Little Rock, March 3.
SAVING GRACE: Freshman right hander Brett Cisper (Loveland, Ohio-Moeller) has picked up three saves already this season, putting him one away from tying several former EMU pitchers for the 12th most in a single season. Former EMU hurler Matt Shoemaker holds the single-season record with 14 saves in 2007. Current EMU left hander Rob Wendzicki (Brook Park, Ohio-Midpark) tallied nine saves in 2008, the second most all time.
WALK THIS WAY: Redshirt sophomore transfer Ben Magsig (Okemos, Mich.-Okemos-Lansing C.C.) reached base safely six times in EMU’s 7-6 win over Arkansas-Little Rock, March 3, as he walked four times and went 2-for-2 at the plate, finishing with one run scored and one RBI.