Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, February 19
Clemson, S.C.
1 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
7
at
6
#4 Clemson
Daniel Russell
Eagles Rally Late to Defeat #4 Clemson, 7-6
2/19/2011 8:13:45 PM | Baseball
Daniel Russell went 4-for-4 with an RBI and two runs, scoring the go-ahead on a wild pitch in the eighth inning
Box Score
CLEMSON, S.C. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball team defeated the fourth-ranked Clemson Tigers, 7-6, in the second game of a three-game set in front of 5,407 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, Saturday, Feb. 19.
The Eagles built as much as a 6-0 lead before the Tigers eventually tied the score in the seventh inning and Daniel Russell (Grandville, Mich.-Grandville), who posted a career day by going 4-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, tallied the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the eighth that proved to be the game-winning run.
Corey Chaffins (New London, Ohio-New London) earned his first win of the season pitching 3.1 innings in relief. Robert Wendzicki (Brook Park, Ohio-Midpark) made his first start of the year and shutout the Tigers through the first four innings before leaving with a 6-1 one lead with two outs in the fifth and had to settle with a no-decision. Taking the loss was Kevin Pohle, who gave up a run on five hits in 3.2 innings of relief.
The Eagles improve to 1-1 on the season with the win while Clemson falls to 1-1 with the loss.
Eastern jumped out early with a three-run second inning and it was Zack Leonard (Canton, Ohio-McKinley) providing the fireworks with his first home run of the season, a two-run shot to left field. He finished the day 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Wendzicki then singled to left and advanced to third after Russell's double to right and came around to score on Kyle Klein's (Grand Rapids, Mich.-West Catholic) sacrifice fly to left field.
The Eagles added to their 3-0 lead in the fourth inning, placing another three-spot highlighted by Klein's two-run double to right-center field to make the score 6-0, EMU.
Clemson wouldn't go away quietly, tying the game by scoring runs in each the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. In the fifth inning, with runners on first and second, Jeff Schaus stepped up and cut into the Eagles' lead with an RBI single to right field, chasing Wendzicki out of the game.
Joe Battistelli (Allen Park, Mich.-Allen Park) came in relief for EMU and, in facing his first batter, Richie Shaffer, allowed Chris Epps to score on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to, 6-2. He then got Shaffer to fly out to end the inning.
With one out in the sixth inning, John Hinson doubled to start a big three-run rally for the host Tigers. Phil Pohl followed with a single through the left side and Spencer Kieboom added another double to drive in a pair of runs. He finished the day 3-for-4 with a two RBI and a run scored. After that, Batistelli would get a pop out before walking the next batter and Tim Combs (Dayton, Ohio-Wayne) relieved him with runners on first and second.
Combs seemed a bit rattled from the get-go as he walked the only two batters he faced to bring in the fifth run for the Tigers. Chaffins then entered the game and got out of a bases loaded jam by striking out the clean-up hitter, Shaffer, to end the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, Clemson's Miller started the frame with a walk and swiftly advanced to second on a foul out down the third base line. He then stole third base and Pohl drove him in for the tying run with a single up the middle.
With the momentum clearly being swung in favor of the nationally-ranked Tigers, the Eagles somehow put together a rally that would prove to be the difference. Russell led off the inning with a double to center. After a pop out, Klein then grounded out to first, advancing Russell to third base with two outs. After a walk to Brent Ohrman (Adrian, Mich.-Adrian) and with Wally Gerbus (Fairfield, Ohio-Stephen T. Baden) at the plate, the pitcher, Pohle, threw a wild pitch and allowed Russell to scamper home for the go-ahead run.
Chaffins then shut down the Tigers in the final two frames, taking just seven batters to get the final six outs to preserve the Eagles first win of the season and first win over a ranked opponent since opening day last season when they defeated No. 25 Kansas.
The Eagles will look to take the series when they meet the Tigers in the finale tomorrow, Feb. 20. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
CLEMSON, S.C. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball team defeated the fourth-ranked Clemson Tigers, 7-6, in the second game of a three-game set in front of 5,407 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, Saturday, Feb. 19.
The Eagles built as much as a 6-0 lead before the Tigers eventually tied the score in the seventh inning and Daniel Russell (Grandville, Mich.-Grandville), who posted a career day by going 4-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, tallied the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the eighth that proved to be the game-winning run.
Corey Chaffins (New London, Ohio-New London) earned his first win of the season pitching 3.1 innings in relief. Robert Wendzicki (Brook Park, Ohio-Midpark) made his first start of the year and shutout the Tigers through the first four innings before leaving with a 6-1 one lead with two outs in the fifth and had to settle with a no-decision. Taking the loss was Kevin Pohle, who gave up a run on five hits in 3.2 innings of relief.
The Eagles improve to 1-1 on the season with the win while Clemson falls to 1-1 with the loss.
Eastern jumped out early with a three-run second inning and it was Zack Leonard (Canton, Ohio-McKinley) providing the fireworks with his first home run of the season, a two-run shot to left field. He finished the day 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Wendzicki then singled to left and advanced to third after Russell's double to right and came around to score on Kyle Klein's (Grand Rapids, Mich.-West Catholic) sacrifice fly to left field.
The Eagles added to their 3-0 lead in the fourth inning, placing another three-spot highlighted by Klein's two-run double to right-center field to make the score 6-0, EMU.
Clemson wouldn't go away quietly, tying the game by scoring runs in each the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. In the fifth inning, with runners on first and second, Jeff Schaus stepped up and cut into the Eagles' lead with an RBI single to right field, chasing Wendzicki out of the game.
Joe Battistelli (Allen Park, Mich.-Allen Park) came in relief for EMU and, in facing his first batter, Richie Shaffer, allowed Chris Epps to score on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to, 6-2. He then got Shaffer to fly out to end the inning.
With one out in the sixth inning, John Hinson doubled to start a big three-run rally for the host Tigers. Phil Pohl followed with a single through the left side and Spencer Kieboom added another double to drive in a pair of runs. He finished the day 3-for-4 with a two RBI and a run scored. After that, Batistelli would get a pop out before walking the next batter and Tim Combs (Dayton, Ohio-Wayne) relieved him with runners on first and second.
Combs seemed a bit rattled from the get-go as he walked the only two batters he faced to bring in the fifth run for the Tigers. Chaffins then entered the game and got out of a bases loaded jam by striking out the clean-up hitter, Shaffer, to end the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, Clemson's Miller started the frame with a walk and swiftly advanced to second on a foul out down the third base line. He then stole third base and Pohl drove him in for the tying run with a single up the middle.
With the momentum clearly being swung in favor of the nationally-ranked Tigers, the Eagles somehow put together a rally that would prove to be the difference. Russell led off the inning with a double to center. After a pop out, Klein then grounded out to first, advancing Russell to third base with two outs. After a walk to Brent Ohrman (Adrian, Mich.-Adrian) and with Wally Gerbus (Fairfield, Ohio-Stephen T. Baden) at the plate, the pitcher, Pohle, threw a wild pitch and allowed Russell to scamper home for the go-ahead run.
Chaffins then shut down the Tigers in the final two frames, taking just seven batters to get the final six outs to preserve the Eagles first win of the season and first win over a ranked opponent since opening day last season when they defeated No. 25 Kansas.
The Eagles will look to take the series when they meet the Tigers in the finale tomorrow, Feb. 20. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
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