Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Northern Illinois
Eagles Travel to NIU for Three-Game Set With Huskies
5/6/2010 9:27:48 AM | Baseball
Eastern Michigan will face Northern Illinois, May 7-9, in DeKalb, Ill.
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball team concludes a seven-game road swing this weekend, May 7-9, with a trip to DeKalb, Ill. for a three-game Mid-American Conference series with the Northern Illinois University Huskies. Games one and two are scheduled for 3:05 p.m. (CST) at Ralph McKinzie Field, while game three is slated for 1:05 p.m. (CST).
PITCHING PROBABLES: In the series opener, May 7, junior right-hander Corey Chaffins (3-4, 6.28 ERA) will start for the Eagles opposite NIU left-hander and reigning MAC West Pitcher of the Week Chuck Lukanen (4-7, 5.69 ERA). In game two, sophomore right-hander Kendall Lewis (6-2, 4.50 ERA) will get the nod for EMU opposite the Huskies' Jeremy Gonzales (2-3, 4.77 ERA). In the series finale Sunday, May 9, sophomore left-hander Collin Taylor (2-5, 8.03 ERA) will start for the Eagles versus NIU left-hander Tom Barry (4-3, 5.81 ERA).
EMU VERSUS NIU: The Eagles lead the all-time series, 58-34, and have been victorious in 11 out of the last 16 meetings. Last year, the Eagles won the season series versus NIU, 2-1, at Oestrike Stadium. In 2008, the Huskies won the season series, 2-1, at Ralph McKinzie Field in DeKalb. The last time Eastern Michigan swept Northern Illinois was the 2006 season (3-0). Since rejoining the MAC in 1998, the Huskies have never swept a season series versus EMU. The only time EMU has been swept in a season series by NIU was 1977 when the Huskies went 2-0 in two meetings.
THE COACHES: EMU Head Coach Jay Alexander enters Friday's game with a 208-206 career mark, including a 47-56 record in his second season with the Eagles. NIU Head Coach Ed Mathey 409-399-3 career record, including a 204-228-1 record in seven seasons with the Huskies.
HOME SWEET HOME: The Eagles have just four home games remaining this season. EMU will take on instate rival Oakland University, May 12, for a 6:05 p.m. game at Oestrike Stadium before closing out the home portion of the schedule versus the University of Toledo, May 14-16, at Oestrike Stadium.
SETTING THE TABLE: In 21 games hitting in the leadoff spot, junior Bo Kinder has helped the Eagles to a 15-6 record. After ending March with a .197 batting average, Kinder ended the month of April with a .287 averaging after hitting a team-best .368 in 14 games.
MOVING ON UP: With two home runs this weekend at Ball State, senior Andrew Marshall has tallied 34 career round-trippers, good for a third place tie with EMU Athletic Hall of Famer Chris Hoiles (1984-86). Marshall and Hoiles trail only Derrick Peterson (41 home runs) and Ryan Goleski (51 career home runs) on the all-time list.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS: Junior Zack Leonard recently passed former teammate Kyle Rhoad on the all-time hits list. Leonard is now tied with former teammate Steve Bradshaw for eighth all-time with 209 career hits. Leonard needs six hits to tie Ryan Arnett (2003-2005) for seventh on the all-time list.
WALK THIS WAY: EMU redshirt sophomore Ben Magsig has walked 36 times this season, the most in the MAC. Magsig's 36 free passes are the 15th most in a single season in EMU baseball history. Former EMU Huron and current Bowling Green Head Coach Danny Schmitz holds the all-time single season walks record with 52 in 1976. Magsig currently leads the MAC with a .495 on-base percentage (73rd in the nation).
ON THE HILL: After starting the season 0-2 with an 11.81 ERA, sophomore Kendall Lewis has been stellar on the mound. After picking up a win in his last start, Lewis is 6-2 this season with a 4.50 ERA. In six starts in MAC play, Lewis leads the conference in wins with a perfect 5-0 record, while maintaining a 3.29 ERA. His six wins overall are tied for the most in the MAC and his .234 opposition batting average is second in the league.
THE K-FACTOR: Junior right-hander Corey Chaffins leads the MAC with 73 strikeouts in 76 innings pitched this season. In his career, Chaffins has tallied 184 strikeouts, putting him 10th all-time in EMU baseball history. The New London, Ohio native needs 17 strikeouts to tie former EMU hurler Joe Linde (1999-2002) for ninth all-time in EMU history. EMU Athletic Hall of Famer and former Major League pitcher Bob Owchinko holds the all-time strikeout record of 309 set from 1973-76.
