Sunday's MAC Baseball Results
Eastern Michigan 8, Akron 6
Western Michigan 15, Ball State 12
Bowling Green 6, Ohio 2
Bowling Green 5, Ohio 2
Kent State 8, Northern Illinois 4
Miami 5, Toledo 2
Stories coutesy of MAC Sports Information Departments
Sunday’s MAC Baseball Results
Eastern Michigan 8, Akron 6
Boxscore
AKRON, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – In one of the most exciting games of its young season, the Eastern Michigan University baseball team pulled off an incredible 8-6, extra-inning, Mid-American Conference victory over the University of Akron today, March 21.
The win moves Eastern (6-7, 2-2 MAC) to .500 in league play and earns it the series split with Akron (7-3, 2-2 MAC).
Tied, 5-5, in the top half of the 11th inning, senior Eli Gora (Cincinnati, Ohio-Anderson) stepped to the plate with two on and one out. Dialed in, he carried an outside pitch to deep right field that dropped for an RBI, go-ahead double. Not done yet, the Eastern offense took advantage of timely walks and a wild pitch to add another pair of runs and take an 8-5 lead into the bottom of the 11th.
With a three-run, 8-5 lead in hand, senior hurler Justin Reinkall (Superior, Wisc.-Superior (Southeast Community)) took the hill and handled the rest. Although Akron was able to cross the plate one time in its final at-bat, Reinkall shut the Zips down before they could mount a comeback, and secured Eastern's 8-6 victory.
Five Eagles got time on the mound as senior Scott Granzotto (Northville, Mich.-Gabriel Richard) earned the start and went 3.0 innings. The southpaw allowed two runs on five hits while recording a strikeout along the way. He gave way to sophomore Cameron Wagoner (Tecumseh, Mich.-Tecumseh), who authored an outstanding 4.2-inning performance that included five strikeouts (tied season-high). Although Wagoner was charged with three runs, he left the game having only surrendered one. Junior transfer Zach Fruit (Dundee, Mich.-Dundee (Lansing C.C.)) also got to work for the Green and White, before sophomore Thomas House (Okeana, Ohio-Ross) and Reinkall finished out the game.
Offensively, the trio of Gora, and fellow seniors Jeff Timko (Rochester Hills, Mich.-Brother Rice) and Nick Jones (Battle Creek, Mich.-Lakeview), each tallied three hits. Gora was the star, however, as he delivered a team-best two RBIs, including the go-ahead run in the 11th. In total, seven hitters combined for a team-high 15 hits, four more than Eastern's previous best of 11, at Bellarmine, March 7.
Just four total runs were exchanged during the game's first four innings, with each team able to cross the plate twice.
The visiting Eagles were the first to find success at the plate as they scored a pair of runs in the top half of the second inning. After a leadoff single and wild pitch allowed Jones to get to second base, Timko was able to find a gap between the pitcher and shortstop, which gave him just enough time to get to first and record an infield single. With runners on the corners and no outs, it was Gora that came through. He delivered his second knock of the series, an RBI-single through the left side, to put Eastern ahead, 1-0. From there, EMU was able to take advantage of an Akron error as Timko crossed the plate to make it 2-0.
After working out of a first-inning jam that saw runners on second and third with one out, Granzotto bounced back with an impressive second frame. Although the Zips added two hits, it was no problem for the fourth-year lefty, as he kept the home team off the board to preserve EMU's lead, 2-0.
Following a scoreless top of the third, Akron did find offensive success in its third trip to the plate. A leadoff home run sparked what ended a two-run frame for the Zips. Still, Granzotto was able to end the threat with the game tied, 2-2, before handing the ball to Wagoner in the fourth.
A scoreless fourth inning for both sides put EMU back in the batter's box, still tied, to begin the fifth frame. Already in the midst of an impressive offensive series, Hopkins added yet another long ball to his list, this time a solo shot that reestablished Eastern's advantage, 3-2. The home run moves Hopkins into a tie for the team lead with three this season. Unfortunately, it was the only momentum EMU was able to find in the frame.
After working out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth, Wagoner returned to the mound in the fifth and delivered a perfect 1-2-3 frame that included two strikeouts. Still with a one-run lead, 3-2, Wagoner faced adversity in the sixth. A leadoff single by the Zips followed by an advancement on a ground ball out put a runner at second with only one down. Akron took advantage with a double down the left field line, which tied the game at three runs with only one out. With a runner at third and two down, Wagoner was able to recover and keep the score at three-all.
With the score still knotted, 3-3, after seven, EMU's offense broke through in the eighth. After senior Drake Peggs (Knightstown, Ind.-Knightstown) started the frame with a single, fellow senior Jared Kauffman (Springboro, Ohio-Bishop Fenwick) followed suit with a single of his own. An error by Akron during the play gave Eastern a great scoring opportunity, one it took advantage of, as Peggs came all the way around to score and gave Eastern the lead, 4-3. With Kauffman on third, sophomore Tyler Helgeson (Portage, Mich.-Portage Northern) successfully lifted a SAC fly into right field, which gave him his first RBI of his career and extended EMU's lead to a pair, 5-3.
Back out for the bottom of the eighth, Wagoner was again challenged by the Zips. After a leadoff walk was followed by a hit batter, the home team had runners on first and second with no outs. A SAC bunt moved the runners to second and third with one out. Poised as ever, Wagoner came through yet again, as he jammed the next Zip hitter into a groundout that came back to the mound. That out signaled the end of Wagoner's impressive day, as he gave way to Fruit with two outs in the eighth. Fruit walked the first batter he faced, which loaded the bases, before giving up a two-RBI double to right field. That blow tied the game, 5-5.
With the score still locked after nine complete innings, the two teams took to extra frames and continued to exchange pitching blows. It wasn't until the 11th that Eastern broke through for its go-ahead runs, which ultimately proved enough to secure the win in Sunday's series finale, 8-6.
Eastern returns to action Friday, March 26, for the start of a four-game slate against in-state rival Western Michigan University. Games two and three will take place on Saturday, March 27, before the series comes to a close Sunday, March 28, in Kalamazoo.
For the most up-to-date information on all things EMU baseball, visit EMUEagles.com and follow the team on social media at @EMU_Baseball.
Western Michigan 15, Ball State 12
Boxscore
MUNCIE, Ind. – Guided by five home runs the Western Michigan baseball team secured a thrilling 15-12 extra-innings victory over Ball State in the series finale on Saturday afternoon inside Merchants Ballpark Complex.
Trailing by six through the first two innings the Broncos rallied back with 11 unanswered runs before Ball State scored one run in the seventh and four in the ninth to take the game to extra innings.
In extra innings Western Michigan scored one run in the top of the 12th but was matched by Ball State in the bottom half of the inning. WMU pulled away in the 14th inning scoring three runs on two hits with Drew Devine and Will Morrison each belting home runs.
On the day the Broncos scored a season-high 15 runs on 17 hits with eight extra-base hits and five home runs. Eight different Broncos registered a hit in the series finale with seven of the eight have multi-hit games.
Freshman Greg Budig provided the power for the Broncos at the plate going 2-for-6 with four RBIs, three runs scored and two home runs. Budig becomes the first player since
Nate Grys back on May 16, 2019 against Ohio to have two home runs in a game.
Redshirt freshman Will Morrison led WMU with four hits on the afternoon, going 4-for-7 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Morrison belted a two-run home run, the first of his career in the top of the 14th inning.
It was quite a day at the plate for senior Drew Devine who went 2-for-6 with a home run, three RBIs, two walks and two runs scored. Devine hit the go-ahead home run in the top of the 14th inning, his team-high third home run of the season. Continuing to swing a hot bat was junior Sean O'Keefe with a 2-for-7 performance with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored. O'Keefe tallied his first home run of the season over the centerfield wall in the top of the 12th to give WMU a 12-11 lead.
Also joining the club with double digit hits on Sunday was Jimmy Allen (2-8), Ryan Missal (2-4) and Connor Charping (2-7). Along with 15 hits the Broncos also drew nine walks while collecting two stolen bases.
On the mound the Broncos used six different pitchers as Ball State scored 12 runs, 11 earned on 16 hits with six strikeouts. Out of the bullpen the Broncos got a stellar performance once again from RHP Will Mullen who went 4.2 innings allowing one earned run on three hits with three strikeouts.
Earning his first career victory for the Brown & Gold was freshman RHP Ryan Watt who pitched the final five innings, allowing one earned run on four hits while striking out one in 20 batters faced.
Western Michigan picked up its first victory of the season and now has an overall record of 1-9 and 1-3 in Mid-American Conference play. The Broncos return home next weekend for its first home weekend series at Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field against in-state rival Eastern Michigan, March 26-28.
It was a quick start for the Cardinals in the series finale as Ball State scored two runs in the bottom of the first and four more in the bottom of the second to gain a 6-0 lead.
After the second inning it was the Broncos on the comeback trial and gaining the lead after scoring 11 unanswered runs.
Western Michigan quickly tied the game at six in the top of the third scoring six runs on five hits in the inning. The Broncos loaded the bases with one out before Ryan Missal connected on an RBI single back up the middle to give WMU its first run of the game. With the bases loaded, Sean O'Keefe was hit by a pitch that brought home the runner from third to cut the Ball State lead down to 6-2.
The Broncos tied the game the next two at-bats as Connor Charping and Drew Devine each registered one out two-RBI doubles to tie the game at six. WMU took over the lead in the first plate appearance of the fourth inning as freshman Greg Budig blasted his first career home run over the left field wall to give WMU a 7-6 advantage.
Budig was at it again in the top of the fifth with a three-run home run to give WMU a 10-6 lead. In the top of the fifth WMU scored three runs on two hits with Budig's three-run home run coming with two outs.
Through the middle innings it was the dominant pitching of RHP Will Mullen that halted the Ball State offense. After giving up six runs through the first two innings the Bronco pitching staff retired 10 of the next 11 Ball State batters as WMU took the lead.
Western Michigan added its 11th and final run in the top of the seventh as a throwing error by the Cardinals allowed a run to score and give WMU a 11-6 lead. Ball State responded in the bottom of the seventh with a home run to left field to trim the Bronco lead down to four.
In the bottom of the ninth with one out Ball State belted a three-run home run to cut the WMU lead down to 11-10. After a fly out to left field the Cardinals had runners on first and second with two outs. Down to their final out the Cardinals rallied with an RBI single back up the middle to push the game into extra innings tied at 11.
Ball State looked to continue its momentum from the bottom of the ninth in extra innings as the Cardinals got a runner on base in the 10th and 11th innings. However, WMU halted its momentum with two double plays to end each inning.
Western Michigan gained the lead with two outs in the top of the 12th off the bat of Sean O'Keefe. O'Keefe tallied his first home run of the season over the centerfield wall to give WMU a 12-11 lead late. Ball State responded in the bottom half of the inning, scoring a run on a sacrifice fly to left field to tie the game at 12.
The Broncos regained the lead in the top of the 14th, scoring three runs on two hits. With two outs Drew Devine connected on his third home run of the season to give WMU a 13-12 advantage. One batter later Will Morrison blasted a two-run home run to extend the Brown & Gold lead to 15-12.
WMU secured the victory in the bottom of the 14th as the Cardinals went down in order with two line outs and a strikeout to give the Broncos their first victory of the season.
Bowling Green 6, Ohio 2 -- Boxscore
Bowling Green 5, Ohio 2 – Boxscore
ATHENS, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University baseball team earned a doubleheader sweep at Ohio University on Sunday (March 21). The Falcons won the first game, 6-2, before taking the night cap by a score of 5-2. The Mid-American Conference series is being played at OU's Bob Wren Stadium. The Falcons will go for the series win tomorrow at 1 p.m.
The pair of wins marks Bowling Green's first doubleheader sweep on the road in MAC play since beating NIU twice on April 1, 2017. BGSU is 2-1 in conference play in 2021 and now 4-9 overall on the young season.
The Falcons were led by dominant pitching, as starters Andrew Abrahamowicz and Rigo Ramos each tossed complete-game gems. Abrahamowicz set the tone in the first game of the day, striking out seven batters over a season-high seven innings. The Nebraska transfer scattered eight hits and only issued one walk. Abrahamowicz, now 2-2 on the season, yielded just two runs in his outing.
Ramos, in his first conference start, nearly shut out the Bobcats. A two-run blast in the seventh was the lone blemish for the southpaw, who struck out four while issuing one free pass. Ramos earned his first-career win in the Orange and Brown on the afternoon.
A four-run fifth broke a 1-1 tie and gave the Falcons the edge in the first game. After Dylan Dohanos scored on a wild pitch, Jack Krause plated another run with an RBI. Kyle Gurney capped the four-run frame with a two-run bomb. Gurney put a cherry on his career day with a solo home run in the top of the seventh.
BGSU's offense completed the doubleheader sweep by posting a four-run fourth in the night cap. Gurney and Adam Fallon collected RBI hits, and two more runs scored off wild pitches. Tyler Ross put an exclamation point on the day with a solo home run to right in the fifth inning.
Kent State 8, Northern Illinois 4
Boxscore
KENT, OHIO- Max Rippl threw five solid innings and Michael Turner came a single short of the cycle as Kent State took Sunday's finale against Northern Illinois 8-4 at Schoonover Stadium.
Kent State scored in each of the first four innings and withstood a late-inning charge from the Huskies to secure the victory. With two outs in the first, Turner started a two-out rally with a triple off the left field wall. Justin Miknis followed with a triple of his own, scoring Turner and Mack Timbrook drove Miknis home with a double. The Flashes made it 3-0 in the second when Grant Vera put on a suicide squeeze and Kevin Dobos beat the throw and the tag at the plate. Turner struck again in the third, sending a towering fly ball over the right field wall, staking Rippl and the Flashes to a 4-0 lead.
The right hander made the lead stand up. Rippl went the first five innings, allowing one run and six hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out five, including the first four batters of the game and earned his second win of the season.
The heart of the Kent State order helped to put the game out of reach. Ben Carew hit a solo homer in the fourth and Miknis and Turner teamed up again for two more in the seventh. Turner drove home Ben Carew with a double to left center and Miknis drove home Turner with a run-scoring single.
Northern Illinois made its move in the eighth scoring three times. Ritchie Dell came on in relief and worked out of a two-on, one-out jam and worked a one-two-three ninth to earn his first save of the season.
The victory moves Kent State to 7-8 overall and 1-3 in the MAC. Northern Illinois drops to 4-11 overall and 3-1 in conference. Kent State wraps up its non-conference slate next weekend with the Dayton Flyers. It is a home-and-home series with Kent State hosting the back end with a Sunday double header. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
Miami 5, Toledo 2
Boxscore
OXFORD, Ohio — Graduate student Kevin Napoleon dominated out of the bullpen for the Miami University baseball team, throwing 4.1 scoreless innings in a 5-2 win against the University of Toledo on Sunday afternoon. The RedHawks improve to 10-8 overall and 3-1 in Mid-American Conference action, while the Rockets fall to 3-14 on the season and 1-3 in MAC play.
