Eastern Michigan Athletics
Tuesday, May 13
South Bend, Ind.
3:30 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
19-27
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12
Notre Dame
30-19
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Eastern Michigan
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Notre Dame
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Photo by: Max Jebson
Baseball's Ninth-Inning Rally Falls Short at Notre Dame
5/13/2025 8:44:00 PM | Baseball
The Eagles scored three runs in the ninth and five over the last three frames, but fell, 12-10
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SOUTH BEND, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball mounted a ninth-inning comeback, but ultimately fell to Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opponent the University of Notre Dame, 12-10, in non-conference action Tuesday, May 13, at Frank Eck Baseball Stadium.
Senior outfielder Logan Hugo (Essexville, Mich./Essexville Garber) paced the Eagles' offense as he went 3-for-5 from the plate, hit his 10th home run of the season, drove in three runs, scored three runs himself, and stole one base.
Freshman right-hander Cal Rutherford (Canton, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central) was a bright spot out of the Eastern bullpen as he tossed a scoreless outing and didn't allow a hit in a career-long 2.2 innings in what was a bullpen day for the EMU pitching staff.
Freshman righty Colin Milligan (Delaware, Ohio/Delaware Hayes) (0-4) got the start, marking the third of his career as he was tagged with the loss. Notre Dame's Xavier Hirsch (3-0) earned the win while Tobey McDonough (8) secured the save.
How it Happened
Eastern struck first in the opening inning, grabbing the 1-0 lead. After Hugo recorded the Eagles' first hit of the day with a single through the left side, and stole second during the next at-bat, Devan Zirwas (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny/VCU) ripped his team-high 19th double of the season into right field, scoring Hugo from second.
The Fighting Irish took the 3-1 lead in the ensuing half inning, scoring three runs off three hits. The frame saw senior right-hander Bobby Jones (Loveland, Ohio/St. Xavier/Xavier) take the mound to relieve Milligan.
Notre Dame added three runs to its total in the second, increasing its lead to five at 6-1.
Eastern plated two in the third, trimming the Fighting Irish's lead to three, 6-3. The Eagles got the first two batters on base with Cooper Vance (New Waterford, Ohio/Mohawk) leading off the inning with his career-best 12th double of the season. Freshman Connor Walsh (Mattawan, Mich./Mattawan) reached via a walk before Hugo drove in Vance off an RBI-groundout and Zirwas singled up the middle to score Walsh.
After Rutherford shut down Notre Dame for no runs in the bottom of the third, the Eastern offense went back to work, scoring two runs in the top of the fourth, putting it within one run of the Irish's six-run total, 6-5. Junior utility man Drew Jones (Cleveland, Ohio/Brush/Ohio State) led the inning off with a single before senior outfielder Giano Zuccaro (Middleburg Heights, Ohio/Berea Midpark/Charleston) walked to put two on with zero outs. With runners on second and third, Walsh grounded out to first, scoring Jones, before Hugo collected his second hit and RBI of the day with a single to center to plate Zuccaro.
Fischer Hendershot (Flushing, Mich./Flint Powers) relieved Rutherford to start the bottom of the fifth as the freshman righty spun his third scoreless outing of the season in a career-long 2.2 innings on the mound.
Notre Dame scored a game-high six runs in the sixth, increasing its lead to seven at 12-5.
The Eagles threatened in the seventh, loading the bases twice, but scoring just one run off Bruce Jellison's (Hartland, Mich./Hartland/Wabash Valley) seventh sacrifice fly of the season, scoring Hugo from third after he led of the inning reaching via a hit by pitch.
Eastern inched closer with Hugo going deep for his 10th home run of the season in the eighth to make the score 12-7, Notre Dame.
The Eagles rallied in the ninth, scoring three runs, highlighted by Brendan Kleiman's (Olney, Md./Sherwood/Frederic C.C.) pinch-hit two-run homer to draw within two of the Irish at 12-10.
The rally fell short as the game ended in a 12-10 win for Notre Dame.
Game Notes
» With 12 hits, Eastern reached the double-digit hits mark for the 26th time this season. It is 16-10 when doing so. The Eagles also out-hit the Irish, 12-10, marking the 27th they have out-hit their opponent, posting a 17-10 in such scenarios.
» Eastern posted double-digits in runs (10), hits (12), and RBI (10) for the 12th time this season and lost when doing so for just the second time.
» With a 2-for-4 day from the plate, Zirwas earned his team-high 19th multi-hit game and drove in two runs for his 17th multi-RBI outing, also a team high. He knocked his 19th double of the season, a figure that leads the team, ranks third in the MAC by value, and ties for eighth-most in a single season in program history.
» Vance hit his career-best 12th double of the season.
» Hugo went 3-for-5 with one home run, three runs scored, three RBI, and one stolen base. The performance marked his 17th with at least two hits and 14th with multiple RBI. His home run tied his career-best of 10 set in the 2024 season.
» Rutherford tossed his third scoreless outing of the season in a career-long 2.2 innings on the mound. He has not relinquished a run in three of his previous four outings.
» Harrison Travis (Soddy Daisy, Tenn./Soddy Daisy/Carson-Newman) went 2-for-5 from the dish for his 13th multi-hit game.
» Jellison knocked his seventh sacrifice fly of the season in the seventh inning, a figure that ranks him second in the MAC and 14th in the nation.
» Kleiman belted his second home run of the season in the eight inning, bringing his NCAA Division I career total to six and the Eagles' as a team to 54 in 2025. He ended the day with two RBI, his seventh multi-RBI day of the year.
» Niko Kreuzer (Westerville, Ohio/St. Francis Desales) pitched a scoreless outing in 2.0 innings on the bump. The appearance marked his 10th scoreless one of the season as he has not relinquished a run in seven of his last 10 outings.
» The game marked EMU's 19th non-conference contest. It now posts an 8-11 mark in such games, surpassing the five out of conference wins it had in 2024.
Historical Notes
» The Eagles out-hit a power conference opponent for the fifth time in the Head Coach Robbie Britt era (2024-present). They have out-hit their opponent in five out of the 11 power conference games under Britt.
» Hugo's home run marked the 30th of his career and tied him with Brian Bixler (2002-04) and Audie Cole (1977-80) for the sixth-most in program history. He is the eighth Eagle to reach 30 homers in his career.
» Tuesday's game marked the 11th all-time between the Eagles and Fighting Irish. After the result, the Eagles hold a 4-7 all-time record against Notre Dame and a 3-4 mark when facing them in South Bend.
» Tuesday's contest went down as Eastern's 64th against an ACC opponent, it is now 24-40 when facing the conference.
Up Next
Eastern returns home to Oestrike Stadium for its final regular-season home series as a MAC Tournament berth is on the line against the Kent State Golden Flashes, Thursday-Saturday, May 15-17.
Follow Us
For all things EMU Baseball, be sure to check out the team's social media accounts, including EMU_Baseball on X (formerly Twitter) and emu_baseball on Instagram.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University baseball mounted a ninth-inning comeback, but ultimately fell to Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opponent the University of Notre Dame, 12-10, in non-conference action Tuesday, May 13, at Frank Eck Baseball Stadium.
Senior outfielder Logan Hugo (Essexville, Mich./Essexville Garber) paced the Eagles' offense as he went 3-for-5 from the plate, hit his 10th home run of the season, drove in three runs, scored three runs himself, and stole one base.
Freshman right-hander Cal Rutherford (Canton, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central) was a bright spot out of the Eastern bullpen as he tossed a scoreless outing and didn't allow a hit in a career-long 2.2 innings in what was a bullpen day for the EMU pitching staff.
Freshman righty Colin Milligan (Delaware, Ohio/Delaware Hayes) (0-4) got the start, marking the third of his career as he was tagged with the loss. Notre Dame's Xavier Hirsch (3-0) earned the win while Tobey McDonough (8) secured the save.
How it Happened
Eastern struck first in the opening inning, grabbing the 1-0 lead. After Hugo recorded the Eagles' first hit of the day with a single through the left side, and stole second during the next at-bat, Devan Zirwas (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny/VCU) ripped his team-high 19th double of the season into right field, scoring Hugo from second.
The Fighting Irish took the 3-1 lead in the ensuing half inning, scoring three runs off three hits. The frame saw senior right-hander Bobby Jones (Loveland, Ohio/St. Xavier/Xavier) take the mound to relieve Milligan.
Notre Dame added three runs to its total in the second, increasing its lead to five at 6-1.
Eastern plated two in the third, trimming the Fighting Irish's lead to three, 6-3. The Eagles got the first two batters on base with Cooper Vance (New Waterford, Ohio/Mohawk) leading off the inning with his career-best 12th double of the season. Freshman Connor Walsh (Mattawan, Mich./Mattawan) reached via a walk before Hugo drove in Vance off an RBI-groundout and Zirwas singled up the middle to score Walsh.
After Rutherford shut down Notre Dame for no runs in the bottom of the third, the Eastern offense went back to work, scoring two runs in the top of the fourth, putting it within one run of the Irish's six-run total, 6-5. Junior utility man Drew Jones (Cleveland, Ohio/Brush/Ohio State) led the inning off with a single before senior outfielder Giano Zuccaro (Middleburg Heights, Ohio/Berea Midpark/Charleston) walked to put two on with zero outs. With runners on second and third, Walsh grounded out to first, scoring Jones, before Hugo collected his second hit and RBI of the day with a single to center to plate Zuccaro.
Fischer Hendershot (Flushing, Mich./Flint Powers) relieved Rutherford to start the bottom of the fifth as the freshman righty spun his third scoreless outing of the season in a career-long 2.2 innings on the mound.
Notre Dame scored a game-high six runs in the sixth, increasing its lead to seven at 12-5.
The Eagles threatened in the seventh, loading the bases twice, but scoring just one run off Bruce Jellison's (Hartland, Mich./Hartland/Wabash Valley) seventh sacrifice fly of the season, scoring Hugo from third after he led of the inning reaching via a hit by pitch.
Eastern inched closer with Hugo going deep for his 10th home run of the season in the eighth to make the score 12-7, Notre Dame.
The Eagles rallied in the ninth, scoring three runs, highlighted by Brendan Kleiman's (Olney, Md./Sherwood/Frederic C.C.) pinch-hit two-run homer to draw within two of the Irish at 12-10.
The rally fell short as the game ended in a 12-10 win for Notre Dame.
Game Notes
» With 12 hits, Eastern reached the double-digit hits mark for the 26th time this season. It is 16-10 when doing so. The Eagles also out-hit the Irish, 12-10, marking the 27th they have out-hit their opponent, posting a 17-10 in such scenarios.
» Eastern posted double-digits in runs (10), hits (12), and RBI (10) for the 12th time this season and lost when doing so for just the second time.
» With a 2-for-4 day from the plate, Zirwas earned his team-high 19th multi-hit game and drove in two runs for his 17th multi-RBI outing, also a team high. He knocked his 19th double of the season, a figure that leads the team, ranks third in the MAC by value, and ties for eighth-most in a single season in program history.
» Vance hit his career-best 12th double of the season.
» Hugo went 3-for-5 with one home run, three runs scored, three RBI, and one stolen base. The performance marked his 17th with at least two hits and 14th with multiple RBI. His home run tied his career-best of 10 set in the 2024 season.
» Rutherford tossed his third scoreless outing of the season in a career-long 2.2 innings on the mound. He has not relinquished a run in three of his previous four outings.
» Harrison Travis (Soddy Daisy, Tenn./Soddy Daisy/Carson-Newman) went 2-for-5 from the dish for his 13th multi-hit game.
» Jellison knocked his seventh sacrifice fly of the season in the seventh inning, a figure that ranks him second in the MAC and 14th in the nation.
» Kleiman belted his second home run of the season in the eight inning, bringing his NCAA Division I career total to six and the Eagles' as a team to 54 in 2025. He ended the day with two RBI, his seventh multi-RBI day of the year.
» Niko Kreuzer (Westerville, Ohio/St. Francis Desales) pitched a scoreless outing in 2.0 innings on the bump. The appearance marked his 10th scoreless one of the season as he has not relinquished a run in seven of his last 10 outings.
» The game marked EMU's 19th non-conference contest. It now posts an 8-11 mark in such games, surpassing the five out of conference wins it had in 2024.
Historical Notes
» The Eagles out-hit a power conference opponent for the fifth time in the Head Coach Robbie Britt era (2024-present). They have out-hit their opponent in five out of the 11 power conference games under Britt.
» Hugo's home run marked the 30th of his career and tied him with Brian Bixler (2002-04) and Audie Cole (1977-80) for the sixth-most in program history. He is the eighth Eagle to reach 30 homers in his career.
» Tuesday's game marked the 11th all-time between the Eagles and Fighting Irish. After the result, the Eagles hold a 4-7 all-time record against Notre Dame and a 3-4 mark when facing them in South Bend.
» Tuesday's contest went down as Eastern's 64th against an ACC opponent, it is now 24-40 when facing the conference.
Up Next
Eastern returns home to Oestrike Stadium for its final regular-season home series as a MAC Tournament berth is on the line against the Kent State Golden Flashes, Thursday-Saturday, May 15-17.
Follow Us
For all things EMU Baseball, be sure to check out the team's social media accounts, including EMU_Baseball on X (formerly Twitter) and emu_baseball on Instagram.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Xavier Hirsch (3-0)
L: Milligan, Colin (0-4)
S: Tobey McDonough (8)
Batting:
2B: Zirwas, Devan 1 ; Vance, Cooper 1
HR: Hugo, Logan 1 ; Kleiman, Brendan 1
RBI: Walsh, Connor 2 ; Hugo, Logan 3 ; Zirwas, Devan 2 ; Jellison, Bruce 1 ; Kleiman, Brendan 2
SH: Vance, Cooper 1
SF: Jellison, Bruce 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Walsh, Connor 1 ; Hugo, Logan 3 ; Johnson, Lucas 1 ; Kleiman, Brendan 1 ; Jones, Drew 2 ; Zuccaro, Giano 1 ; Vance, Cooper 1
SB: Hugo, Logan 1
HBP: Hugo, Logan 1 ; Jellison, Bruce 1
Batting:
2B: Connor Hincks 1
3B: Estevan Moreno 1
RBI: Davis Johnson 1 ; Parker Brzustewicz 3 ; Connor Hincks 2 ; Estevan Moreno 2 ; Brady Gumpf 1
SF: Brady Gumpf 1
Base Running:
RUNS: DM Jefferson 3 ; Carson Tinney 3 ; Davis Johnson 2 ; Parker Brzustewicz 1 ; Connor Hincks 2 ; Estevan Moreno 1
SB: DM Jefferson 3 ; Carson Tinney 1 ; Estevan Moreno 1 ; Nick DeMarco 1
CS: Parker Brzustewicz 1
HBP: Carson Tinney 1 ; Davis Johnson 1
Game Leaders
AB
5
R
3
H
3
RBI
3
AB
5
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
2
AB
5
R
1
H
1
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
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Thursday, October 16
16th Annual EMU Baseball Golf Outing
Sunday, October 05
Oestrike Stadium Turf Replacement Time lapse
Friday, October 03
Oestrike Stadium Upgrades Reveal
Thursday, October 02