Game Notes (PDF)
Live Stats (EMU vs. Wayne State)
Live Stats & Live Video (EMU vs. Cleveland State)
Live Stats (EMU vs. Buffalo)
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Coming off a five-game week last week, the Eastern Michigan University baseball team is back in action this week for another handful of games, March 23-28. The Eagles (6-13) play back-to-back non-league games at Wayne State University and Cleveland State University, March 23-24, before opening up Mid-American Conference play Friday, March 26, in Buffalo, N.Y. with a three-game set versus the University at Buffalo Bulls.
EMU VERSUS WAYNE STATE: The Eagles and Warriors will be meeting for the 76th time Tuesday, March 23, with EMU holding a 54-21 all-time series advantage. In their last meeting, the Eagles claimed a 4-3 win over Jay Alexander's then Warriors, March 28, 2006, at Oestrike Stadium to sweep the afternoon doubleheader.
COMMON THREADS: Tuesday's game versus Wayne State will be Jay Alexander's first time facing his former team since he was named the Eagles' head coach last season. Alexander coached the Warriors from 2003-2008, leading WSU to four Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament appearances and two NCAA Division II regional appearances, while also being named the GLIAC Coach of the Year on two separate occasions (2005 and 2008). Alexander led WSU to its most successful season in school history in 2008, as the Warriors finished the season with a 34-19 record, including a 23-5 mark in the GLIAC, en route to an NCAA Division II regional appearance.
EMU VERSUS CLEVELAND STATE: The Eagles and Vikings will be meeting for the 16th time Wednesday, March 24, as EMU holds a 10-5 all-time mark versus CSU. In their last meeting, the Eagles claimed a 16-5 win at Oestrike Stadium, April 22, 2009. The Eagles went 1-1 versus the Vikings last season, with CSU winning the first meeting, 10-7, April 1, in Lorain, Ohio.
COMMON THREADS: Current Cleveland State assistant coach Shane Davis was a four-year letterwinner at catcher for the Eagles (2004-07) and was part of EMU's 2007 squad that captured the MAC regular season title.
EMU VERSUS BUFFALO: The Eagles and Bulls have met just six times prior to this weekend's three-game series. EMU leads the all-time series, 5-1, as the two schools have not met since the 2006 season when the Eagles swept all three games versus the Bulls at Oestrike Stadium.
23-RUN SALUTE: The Eagles' 23-0 victory over the West Virginia University Mountaineers, March 20, was the largest margin of victory versus a Division I opponent in school history. The Eagles claimed a 21-run win over Ball State University, March 7, 1986 and over Trinity, March 22, 1979. For West Virginia, the loss is the worst defeat at home in Mountaineer history. The 23-run performance also marks the second time the Eagles have posted 20+ runs under Jay Alexander. The first time was last season when the Eagles claimed a 27-7 win over Bowling Green, April 8, 2009.
ON THE HILL: Lost in the offensive shuffle of the Eagles' 23-0 win over West Virginia, March 20, was sophomore Kendall Lewis' outstanding performance on the mound. Lewis allowed no runs on three hits in seven innings of work, while fanning seven batters to pitch EMU's first shut out of the season and earn his first win of 2010.
FOURTH INNING FIREWORKS: The Eagles have tallied a season-best 30 runs in the fourth inning this season and are outscoring opponents, 30-11, in the fourth. Conversely, the Eagles have scored just two runs in the seventh inning this season and are being outscored by opponents, 25-2.
GRAVE DIGGER: Senior Todd Graves is currently riding a team-best 11-game hitting streak, the longest streak by an EMU player this season. Graves currently leads the Eagles with a .373 batting average.
RBI MACHINE: In the Eagles' final two games versus West Virginia, redshirt sophomore Ben Magsig tallied seven RBI, including six in EMU's 23-0 win over the Mountaineers, March 20. In the final two games versus WVU, Magsig went 7-for-11 at the plate with four runs scored and seven RBI.
MULTITASKING: Junior Ken Battiston has recorded a team-best nine multiple hit games this season. Battiston has notched a pair of games with three hits and seven games with two hits.
WALK THIS WAY: Redshirt sophomore Ben Magsig currently leads the MAC with 21 walks this season. His .522 on-base percentage is second to only Buffalo's Brad Agustin, who leads the conference with a .523 on-base percentage.
SAVING GRACE: True freshman Brett Cisper currently leads the MAC with four saves so far this season.
GETTING OFFENSIVE: As a team, the Eagles are batting .302 this season (third in MAC) and have scored a MAC-best 137 runs and 210 hits through 19 games.
