Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, April 11
Ypsilanti, Mich.
2 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Toledo
Photo by: Steven King/Steve King Studios
Baseball Hosts Toledo in MAC Series This Weekend
4/9/2025 3:56:00 PM | Baseball
The series will run Friday-Sunday at Oestrike Stadium in Ypsilanti, Mich.
| Toledo vs. Eastern Michigan Baseball | |
| Date | Friday-Saturday | April 11-13 |
| Venue | Oestrike Stadium | Ypsilanti, Mich. |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes (PDF) | Media Guide |
| Live Stats | EMUEagles.com/livestats |
| Watch Live | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
| Social Media | X: @EMU_Baseball | @EMUAthletics IG: @emu_baseball | @emuathletics |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Looking to get back in the win column, the Eastern Michigan University baseball team is poised to host the University of Toledo in a three-game Mid-American Conference (MAC) series Friday-Sunday, April 11-13, at Oestrike Stadium. First pitch is set for 2:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1:05 p.m. on Sunday.
Eastern enters the week standing fifth in the MAC with an 8-7 record (13-15 overall) and has fallen in four of its last five contests. Toledo enters the series standing seventh in the MAC with a 5-10 record (11-20 overall) and has also lost three of its last five games.
Admission is free for all games at Oestrike Stadium. Fans can follow along using the live stats and watch links that can be accessed on the EMU baseball schedule page here. Also, stay tuned to EMU baseball socials including EMU_Baseball on X, and emu_baseball on Instagram for live in-game updates and additional EMU baseball content.
ON THE AIR
Greg Steiner and former EMU pitcher Jeremy Nordquist will have the call on Friday while Steiner and Tom Helmer, will have the call for games two and three. Game one will be broadcasted on Eagle All-Access, and games two and three will be streamed live on ESPN+.
GAMEDAY PROMOS
Friday is bark in the park where fans are encouraged to bring their furry friend to the game! Saturday is superhero day and Swoop's Junior Eagles Kid's Club day and signature Saturday. The first 100 kids in attendance will receive a Script E superhero cape and the team will be signing autographs after the game. Sunday is youth sports day and Sunday runday, where the first 150 fans receive a Script E mini helmet and kids get to run the bases after the game!
ALL-TIME AGAINST TOLEDO
Eastern and Toledo will meet for the 176th-178th time this weekend. Overall, the Eagles' hold a 101-75 record against the Rockets, and a 23-16 record when facing them at Oestrike Stadium. Toledo has controlled the series in recent years as it has captured victories in nine of the last ten match ups, six of which have been by at least three runs. Eastern is looking to snap a three-game losing streak against UT, and capture its first series win at home over the Rockets since it swept them in the 2019 season, April 26-29, out-scoring Toledo by a total of 17-13 in three games.
When it comes to streaks, Eastern once took five straight from the Rockets from 2019-2021, and dropped eight consecutively from 2021-23, both of which serve as the longest streaks against UT since the 1999 season.
LAST SEASON AT TOLEDO
Eastern was swept by Toledo on the road last season, May 3-5. The Eagles fell in the series opener in extra innings fashion, 10-9 (10), before losing game two in a nail biting 4-3 decision, and being run-ruled in the series finale, 11-1 (7).
SERIES IN REVIEW: VS. BALL STATE, APRIL 4-6
The Eagles were most recently swept by the Ball State Cardinals in a three-game MAC series, April 4-6.
Game one
Eastern fell 13-2 in game one, concluding after seven innings due to the 10-run rule.
Game Two
Eastern dropped game two, 4-2, in a 14-inning contests, the Eagles' first since the 2011 season. Pitchers Drew Beckner and Ethan Davis highlighted the EMU performances as the duo allowed just two runs, off eight hits, while striking out nine, and walking two in 10.1 innings of work.
Game Three
After taking a 5-3 lead into the ninth inning, Ball State rallied to score six runs in the frame and win, 9-5. Junior utility man Ty Stecko paced the EMU offense with a 2-for-3 outing from the plate with one home run, two RBI, and one walk.
NOTABLES FROM WIN AT MICHIGAN
Eastern's 9-8 win over Michigan, March 25, marked its first true road win over a "Power Four" program since it bested the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 6-5, to secure a series win, March 11, 2018. The result marked the first time that Eastern Michigan defeated a Big Ten Conference team on the road since it beat Ohio State, April 12, 2017. Eastern also picked up its first win in Ann Arbor since April 15, 2015, ending an eight-game losing streak in the city.
MULTIPLE P4 WINS FOR BRITT
With two wins over Michigan in his first two seasons at the helm of the program, Head Coach Robbie Britt became the fourth head coach in program history to earn multiple "power conference" wins in his first two seasons at the helm of the program. Roger Coryell won five from 1989-90, Jay Alexander won six from 2009-10, and Mark Van Ameyde won four from 2015-16.
CARDIAC EAGLES
Eastern has four comeback wins when trailing by at least three runs this season, surpassing the three it had in the 2024 campaign. Two of the four comeback wins have come in the ninth inning with the Eagles putting up eight runs in the frame for the victory. Eastern trailed Western Michigan 7-2 entering the ninth, March 14, before putting up eight runs to win, 10-8. The Eagles accomplished the feat again in a 9-5 win over Ohio, March 29, as they entered the ninth down 5-1 and rattled off eight to secure the 9-5 victory.
OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION
The Eagles exploded for a season-best offensive performance in game three against the RedHawks, March 22. Eastern set season highs in runs (19), RBI (18), and walks (11), while also knocking 18 hits, its second-highest total of the season. Eastern Michigan's 19 runs that day stands as the fourth most in a single game in the MAC, while its 18 hits and five doubles are the third most. Its runs, RBI, and walks (11) all serve as the most in the Head Coach Robbie Britt era.
Eastern's bats particularly popped off in the second inning, scoring nine runs. Its nine runs that inning are the most under Britt and the most since Eastern plated 10 against Toledo, May 4, 2021.
Eastern nearly matched that performance in its 18-13 win over Ohio, March 29. It tied a season best with 18 RBI while setting a season best with 19 hits.
AHEAD OF SCHEDULE (2024 WIN TOTAL)
The Eagles won 14 games in Britt's first season last year. Twenty-eight games into the 2025 campaign, the Eagles have already reached 13 wins, just one win shy of the 14 they earned in 2024. EMU posted 11 wins in its first 28 games last season.
HALE'S LAST 10
Junior outfielder John Hale has paced the EMU offense over the past five games. Hale batted .400 with a 1.164 OPS while knocking four hits, two of which went for extra bases (one double, one home run), driving in five runs, totaling eight bases, and scoring four runs. Hale has thrived situationally in that time as well, batting .667 (2-for-3) with runners in scoring position, .500 (1-for-2) with two outs, and .500 (2-for-4) with runners on.
HUGO CAREER DAY
Senior outfielder Logan Hugo had a career day in the 19-12 win over the RedHawks, March 22. Hugo went 5-for-6 from the plate with two home runs, two doubles, six RBI, and three runs. His five hits, two home runs, and six RBI all marked career-highs. The five hits, and 13 total bases stand as the most from an individual in the MAC this season while his two home runs and six RBI rank as the second-most in the conference.
BIG FISCH IN A LITTLE POND
Freshman right hander Fischer Hendershot is one of two true freshman in the MAC with multiple saves this season, as he ranks second on the team with two behind Ethan Davis' three. Hendershot's two saves are the most from an Eastern freshman since Thomas House recorded four in his freshman campaign in 2018.
BEATING THE TOURNEY CHAMPS PT. 2
For the second straight season, Eastern Michigan has beat the reigning MAC Tournament Champion in a series. Eastern recently bested the reigning tournament champs, Western Michigan, March 14-15, after taking 2-of-3 from Ball State in the 2024 season, March 8-10. Eastern's series win over Western marked the first time it has beaten the reigning MAC Tournament Champion in consecutive seasons since 2007-08. Eastern swept the 2006 MAC Tournament Champions, Ball State in a three-game slate in the 2007 season, April 20-22, before besting the 2007 tournament champion, Kent State, 12-4, May 24, in their lone match up of the season in 2008 to clinch the MAC Tournament Championship.
TEAM TRIPLE DOUBLES
The Eagles have reached double-digit marks in runs, hits, and RBI seven times this season. They hold a 6-1 record in such games. Most recently, Eastern posted 10+ in each category in the 18-13 win at Ohio, March 29. Eastern scored 18 runs, while recording 19 hits and 18 RBI.
PITCHING RANKINGS
Eastern pitching ranks inside the top five in the conference in value in six categories.
Stat Figure MAC Rnk.
Triples Allowed 6 T1st
Homers Allowed 33 T3rd
Doubles Allowed 60 4th
Saves 6 T4th
Hits Allowed 299 5th
Wins 13 5th
LIMITING POWER
Eastern pitching has allowed 99 extra-base hits this season, the third least in the conference. Kent State has allowed the fewest with 90 and Toledo has given up the second least at 91.
POTENT OFFENSE
Through 28 games, the Eagles offense ranks inside the MAC top five in 10 categories, including pacing the MAC with the fewest strikeouts, as they have gone down on strikes just 205 times, 17 fewer than the second-least strikeout total (222).
Stat Figure MAC Rnk. N'atl Rnk.
Strikeouts (Least) 205 1st n/a
HBP (offensive) 56 3rd 55th
Average .296 4th 77th
On-Base % 0.402 4th 90th
Slugging % .472 4th 90th
Sac Flys 13 T4th 132nd
RBI 211 5th n/a
Runs 226 5th 108th
Home runs 36 5th 98th
Doubles 59 T5th 123rd
IMPROVED DEFENSE
After tallying the MAC's worst fielding percentage in 2024 (0.958), the Eagles appear to be significantly improved defensively as they currently post a 0.972 clip in the field, ranking third in the MAC and standing as a 1.4-percent improvement from 2024 to 2025. Eastern has committed the third fewest errors in the conference, posting 28 mishandles in 28 games this season. Last season, the Eagles had 34 errors through 28 games.
HUGO BREAKOUT SEASON
Logan Hugo is in the midst of a breakout season. After winning the MAC Player of the Week award for the first time in his career, Feb. 25. The right-handed bat ranks highly in the MAC as he stands inside the top five in terms of value in doubles (2nd - 12). Hugo is currently posting career highs in batting average (.328), slugging (.629), and OPS (1.044). If he keeps his current doubles pace (0.44 per game), Hugo would end the season with 22 doubles, which would tie Scott Kemp (1982) for the fourth most in program history and serve as the most in a season since Matt Kirk knocked 23 in 2023.
His 12 doubles mark a career high while his RBI total (30) ties his career best from 2024, and his home runs (seven) are three away from tying his career high set in 2024 (10).
HUGO IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
Logan Hugo ranks inside the national top 60 in two categories.
Stat Figure Rank
Doubles/Game 0.44 27th
Doubles 12 56th
DREW BECKNER ON THE BUMP
Senior left hander Drew Beckner has gotten off to a solid start on the mound. Through eight starts (43.0 IP - 6th most in the MAC), he posts a 3.98 ERA (6th in the MAC) and has allowed 19 earned runs (5th in the MAC). With a 2-1 record on the year, his two wins are tied for the fourth most in the conference. Expected to make a minimum of six more starts this season, Beckner is on pace to set NCAA Division I career-best marks in innings pitched (75), strikeouts (74), hits allowed (65), . He is currently averaging NCAA Division I career-bests in ERA (3.98), WHIP (1.34), and batting average against (.226).
HUGO MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior outfielder Logan Hugo was named MAC Player of the Week for the first time in his career, Feb. 25. In 13 at-bats, Hugo batted .538 with a 1.000 slugging percentage and 1.600 OPS. He notched seven hits, four of which went for extra bases (three doubles, one homer), while driving in seven runs, and totaling 13 bases. The Essexville, Mich., native also worked one walk and one hit by pitch while going strikeout free for the week.
Hugo started the week with a 4-for-5 performance from the plate with a MAC single-game high three doubles and four RBI while scoring one run. He then went 1-for-4 from the dish in game two with one home run, two RBI, and two runs scored, before batting 2-for-4 in the series finale, driving in one run.
KINGS OF THE FIFTH
The Eagles have thrived in the fifth inning, scoring roughly 25.2 percent of their total runs (226) in the frame as they have scored 57 runs in the fifth, their highest total in any inning this season and 23 runs more than their second-highest scoring inning (3rd - 23 runs).
KAPA's Ks
Senior right hander Tyler Kapa has demonstrated high strike-throwing ability in eight appearances this season. He has sat down a total of 44 batters, good for the fourth most in the conference. Kapa's nine strikeouts against Pitt, Feb. 15, stand as the second most in a single game in the MAC this season and a Division I career high for the Waterford, Mich., native. He would striekout nine two starts later against Presbyterian College, March 1, making him the only pitcher in the MAC to strike out at least nine batters in two games this season.
STRONG IN THE NINTH
Eastern has allowed just 13 runs in the ninth inning, its least amount of runs allowed in any inning this season. The seven runs allowed in the ninth account for just 5.4 percent of its total runs allowed (241).
UPCOMING MILESTONES
Drew Beckner recently reached the 200 strikeouts milestone with his eight against Ball State, April 4. He currently has 201 in his NCAA Division I career. Giano Zuccaro is 20 hits away from reaching the 200 mark, two home runs away from posting 20 in his career, and seven doubles from 50. Brendan Kleiman needs 24 knocks to reach 100 in his NCAA career.
IMPORTANCE OF THE SIXTH
The sixth inning has provided insight on whether the Eagles will win or lose the game. When leading after six innings, Eastern posts a 9-3 record. Conversely, when trailing after six, EMU is 2-11. EMU earned its ninth win of the season when leading after six innings against Ohio, March 29, as it concluded the sixth with a 17-9 advantage and won the game 18-13. Most recently, the Eagles came back to win for the second time after being down after six innings against Ohio, March 29. Eastern concluded the sixth inning in the first game of the doubleheader that day trailing 5-1 and came back to win 9-5.
ZIRWAS MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Devan Zirwas earned the first conference player of the week award of his career, March 4, and the Eagles' second consecutive as Logan Hugo won the award the previous week, Feb. 25. Zirwas paced the Eagles in nearly all offensive categories. In 17 at-bats, he batted .529, knocked nine hits, four of which went for extra bases (three doubles, one home run), while driving in three runs, and totaling 15 bases.
Zirwas struck out just twice on the week as he posted a 1.411 OPS (.882 slugging, .529 on-base) and played a perfect first base, totaling 28 putouts, three assists, and a 1.000% fielding clip. Zirwas tallied multiple hits in 3-of-4 games on the week, starting the series with a 3-for-5 performance with one run, two doubles, and one RBI, before batting 2-for-3 with one run scored in game two, 1-for-4 with one double in game three, and 3-for-5 in the series finale with one run scored, one home run, and two RBI.
Zirwas is excelling after seeing just 48 at-bats in his redshirt freshman season at VCU in 2024. He has set career highs in at-bats (111), runs (26), hits (39), doubles (10), home runs (five), RBI (33), total bases (66), walks (12), stolen bases (one). He is also posting career best numbers in average (.351) and OPS (1.025). Zirwas has also improved his discipline at the plate as he struck out in 30 percent of his at-bats in 2024 and currently strikeouts just 20 percent of the time this season.
ONE WEEK, TWO SAVES
Junior right hander Ethan Davis had a strong week as he earned one save in both of his appearances out of the bullpen against Akron, March 7-9. Davis tallied 3.1 innings pitched and allowed just one run while issuing zero walks and striking out two. Davis' three saves lead the Eagles and stand as the fifth most in the MAC. Furthermore, he is the first Eastern hurler to earn two saves in one week since Trevor House did so in the 2021 season against Toledo in the first game of a doubleheader, May 11, and against Northern Illinois, May 15. Davis plays a large role in the much improved Eastern bullpen that through 28 games already has more saves than it did all of last season.
KAPA'S COMPLETE GAME
Tyler Kapa pitched a seven-inning complete game against Presbyterian in the first game of a doubleheader, March 1, becoming the first EMU hurler to throw a complete game since his teammate, Bobby Jones threw an eight-inning complete game last season against Northern Illinois (May 16). Kapa is one of 133 pitchers nationally and six in the MAC to have thrown a complete game this season. He allowed seven hits and three earned runs, while striking out nine and walking two. Overall, he is tied for 23rd in the nation with his one complete game.
ON THE HORIZON
Eastern will hit the road for a three-game set against the Great Danes of Albany Thursday-Saturday, April 17-19.
FOLLOW US
For all things EMU Baseball, check out the team's social media accounts, including EMU_Baseball on X, emu.baseball on Instagram, and emu.baseball on TikTok.
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