Eagles Drop Two to Huskies, 5-4, 7-4

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

DEKALB, Ill. — The Eastern Michigan University baseball dropped a pair of games to Northern Illinois University here today at Ralph McKinzie Field, 5-4 and 7-4 respectively. The Huskies rallied to score two runs in the bottom of the ninth to win game one while two key innings, a three run second and a four run fourth was all NIU needed in a 7-4 game two win.

With the losses, EMU falls to 15-26, 11-4 MAC while Northern Illinois improves to 19-21, 11-7 MAC.

Junior Matt Shoemaker (Trenton, Mich.-Trenton) scattered five hits and two earned runs in seven innings of work in game one. Shoemaker also recorded three strikeouts in the no decision. Taking the loss in game one was sophomore Robert Wendzicki (Brook Park, Ohio-Midpark). Freshman Jake Stapf (Hamilton, Ohio-Stephen T. Badin) got the start in game two, lasting two innings, giving up three hits and on earned run while striking out one and walking two. Junior Kevin Wammes (Fremont, Ohio-St. Joseph) was charged with the loss in game two. Wammes (1-2) pitched an inning and two thirds, giving up five hits and allowing four runs.

Leading the way at the plate for the Eagles was junior Kyle Rhoad (Fostoria, Ohio-Elmwood) and senior Steve Bradshaw (Lapeer, Mich.-West). Rhoad went 5-for-9 at the plate with three stolen bases, two doubles, a walk and a run scored in both games. Bradshaw went 3-for-4 in game two with an RBI, two runs scored and a walk. Bradshaw, the Eagles’ leader in batting average also hit his first home run of the season, a shot over the left-field wall in the top of the first inning.

For the second straight game, the Huskies scored in the first frame of play, plating one run to take the early 1-0 lead over EMU in game one. Jeff Thomas reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on a pass ball before Justin Behm singled to left field to put NIU out in front.

After a slow start, the Green and White bats came alive, scoring one in the fourth and three in the fifth to take a 4-1 lead. With two out and two on, freshman Zack Leonard (Canton, Ohio-McKinley) singled through the right side, driving in Davis for the first Eagle run of the game. Rhoad doubled down the left-field line and junior Aaron Powell (Clarkston, Mich.-Clarkston) walked before Bradshaw cleared the bases with a double into the gap in left center. Ivan singled to right field but was caught in a run down, but not before Bradshaw crossed the plate for the third run of the inning.

After giving up a run and a hit in the first, Shoemaker (1-3) threw four straight innings of three-up, three-down ball before allowing another hit. The Huskies scored twice in the sixth, cutting the Eagle lead to 4-3. Dave Reynolds singled to right field, scoring Jordin Hood and Thomas.

Senior Dan Puls (Alpena, Mich.-Alpena) relieved Shoemaker at the start of the eighth, pitching just a third of an inning, walking Thomas and getting Bobby Stevens to ground out before making way for Tim Combs (Dayton, Ohio-Wayne). After giving up a single to Behm, Combs settled down and got out of the inning, getting Hood to fly out to left field before striking out Reynolds.

Wendzicki (3-5) was brought in to close the game in the ninth, but the Huskies had other ideas. Danny Reed led the inning off with a single to left and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Matt Behren then doubled to center, knocking in Reed, tying the game at four each. With one out, Thomas drilled the first pitch thrown through the right side, scoring Behren and giving the Huskies the 5-4 win.

In game two, the Huskies took a 3-2 lead after a three run second inning. EMU posted a single run in the first three innings of the game, knotting the game at three all after three innings of play. Bradshaw’s home run to left field in the first put EMU out in front 1-0. In the second, Davis tripled to lead the inning off and was driven in by senior Mike Boyd’s (Huntington Woods, Mich.-Berkley) RBI single to center field. In the following inning, Powell was hit by a Adam Holdenrid pitch to start the inning and later scored on a Josh Ivan (Belleville, Mich.-Belleville) single down the left-field line, tying the game at three.

Tim Kamin sparked a four run fourth for the Huskies with his solo home run to left field. Two batters later, Jordin Hood launched a two-run homer over the left-field wall, putting NIU out in front 6-3. Justin Behm rounded out the scoring for Northern Illinois, scoring the final run of the inning on a Wammes wild pitch.

The Eagles threatened in the seventh, loading the bases after a Leonard single to center field scored Bradshaw, cutting the Huskie lead to 7-4. The rally was short lived as Dave Nykiel was able to get catcher Andrew Marshall (Mason, Mich.-Mason) to strike out swinging to end the inning.

With two outs the Eagles again loaded the bases in the top half of the ninth. Ivan reached on a called third strike wild pitch and senior Jeff Davis (Avondale, Ariz.-Westview) singled to right before pinch hitter Todd Graves (St. Mary’s, Ohio-St. Mary’s) drew a walk. Closer Andy Deain struck out Boyd to end the game, notching his sixth strikeout in two innings of work.

The Eagles will be back in action this week with a single home game against Indiana Tech April 29, starting at 5 p.m. before traveling to Columbus, Ohio for a night game against the Buckeyes of Ohio State University. First pitch against OSU is slated for 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, April 30.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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