Friday’s MAC Baseball Results
Kent State 11, No. 21 Baylor 3
Central Michigan 6, Stetson 5
Ball State 3, High Point 1
Eastern Michigan 2, St. Mary’s 1
Miami 9, SC Upstate 0
Ohio 6, Longwood 4
Toledo 3, Winthrop 0
Western Michigan 6, UT-Martin 4
No. 5 Texas Tech 5-8, Northern Illinois 0-0
Stories courtesy of MAC Sports Information Departments
Kent State 11, No. 21 Baylor 3
Boxscore
WACO, Texas – Kent State (2-2) put together a complete effort on all sides of the ball Friday night in an 11-3 victory over No. 21 Baylor (3-2).
The Golden Flashes wasted no time getting a lead in the game, as they posted two tallies in the opening frame after Luke Burch singled, Sawyer Polen walked and both came home when Alex Miklos reached on an error.
The top of the order began the action again in the 3rd when Kent State pushed three runs across. Jacob Neuschaefer and Burch led off with singles. Polen then reached on a bunt single and Neuschaefer scored on an error during the play. Later, Miklos got a base hit to right field to score Burch. The third run of the inning came when Polen crossed home on a Zach Beckner single.
Kent State kept its foot on the gas pedal in the following inning, as Neuschaefer reached on a fielder's choice, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a Polen full-count, two-out single.
Baylor was able to put up a crooked number in the bottom of the 4th after a single and two-run homerun. The Bears made it a 6-3 game with a run in the 5th on a triple and base hit.
Three runs would be as close as Baylor would come to the lead, as Kent State answered back with a run in the 7th to increase the lead to 7-3. In the inning, Beckner doubled and Tim DalPorto batted him in on a base hit. With two outs in the frame, another Bears' error allowed the third unearned run of the game to come home.
The Golden Flashes put up another three-spot in the 8th starting with a Kent State's first homerun of the season, a solo blast off the bat of Jeff Revesz. Beckner and DalPorto then singled in the inning before Neuschaefer cleared the bases with a triple.
Nick Jensen-Clagg went five innings in the start and struck out seven with nine hits, three runs and two walks. Dan Kopcak followed with two innings of no-hit baseball, walking two and striking out three. Zach Willeman finished the game by allowing two hits in two innings of relief while striking out five and walking none.
The offense came alive with 17 hits on the night. Beckner led the way with a 4-for-5 performance with a double, RBI and two runs scored. DalPorto was 3-for-5 while Neuschasefer, Burch and Polen all collected two hits each.
The two teams will finish the three-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. EST.
Central Michigan 6, Stetson 5
Boxscore
DeLAND, Fla. - Tyler Huntey and Nick Regnier drove in two runs apiece and closer Tim Black danced out of trouble in the bottom of the ninth inning Friday as the Central Michigan baseball team held on to beat Stetson, 6-5, in a non-conference baseball game at the Hatters' Melching Field.
The win lifted CMU to 4-1. The teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. on Saturday. They close the four-game series Sunday at noon. Stetson is 2-3.
CMU sophomore left-hander Nick Deeg (2-0) turned in his second straight quality start, allowing one run on six hits while striking out six and walking one over six innings for the victory.
"I thought he put together another nice outing," CMU coach Steve Jaksa of Deeg, who lowered his earned run average to 0.75 and has struck out nine while walking just two in 12 innings this season. "Your Friday guy against their Friday guy and you need a guy who can keep you in that game and he did that. They scratched out one run on him in the first, but other than that he was equal to the task."
Black earned his second save, working out of a ninth-inning jam after the Hatters had pushed across three runs to draw within 6-5.
Pat MacKenzie, Huntey, Logan Regnier, Zach McKinstry and Ryan Heeke had two hits apiece for CMU, which outhit the Hatters, 13-12. Logan Regnier and Heeke each doubled. Logan Regnier has seven hits on the season, five of them for extra bases.
Huntey's two-out RBI single in the fourth tied the game 1-1, then the Chippewas seized a 4-1 lead with a three runs in the fifth, scoring all three of their runs after two were out on a Heeke single and a two-run single by Nick Regnier.
"We put together some really nice at-bats in the inning," Jaksa said. "Ryan Heeke came through with a big two-strike, two-out knock and then Nick came through with another two-strike, two-out knock. We got into their bullpen and we were able to be effective against their bullpen."
The Chippewas made it 5-1 in the sixth when Cody Leichman scored on a double-play groundout. CMU got another run in the seventh on a Huntey RBI single.
The Hatters scored a run in the eighth off reliever Sean Renzi to draw to 6-2, but Renzi limited the damage by getting a strikeout and a groundout, leaving the bases loaded.
In the ninth, Renzi walked the leadoff man then surrendered a single and was replaced by Black, who allowed a single to load the bases.
Vance Vizcaino cleared the bases with a triple to the gap in left-center, drawing the Hatters to 6-5. The Chippewas got the first out of the inning on a ground ball to third baseman Alex Borglin, who trapped Vizcaino in a rundown between third and home. Black then got a fly ball and struck out Kevin Fagan looking to end the game.
"He's been very effective at it and he did it again today for us," Jaksa said of Black. "I was very pleased. I didn't see us panic. I liked how we handled it.
"It was good to get a W. It's a Friday win on the road and Friday wins on the road are big especially when it's a quality opponent. Very pleased with the result and pleased with the process of how we got there."
Eastern Michigan 2, St. Mary’s 1
Boxscore
MORAGA, Calif. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University senior pitcher Ryan Lavoie (Sterling Heights, Mich.-Stevenson) was stout in his second start of the season going seven innings to lead the EMU baseball team to its first win of the 2015 campaign. The Eagles (1-3) used a pair of long balls to defeat Saint Mary's College, 2-1, Friday, Feb. 20. The win was the first for first-year EMU Head Coach Mark Van Ameyde while the setback was just the second for the Gaels (3-2) on the young season.
Lavoie (1-1) went seven strong innings, surrendering just one unearned run on four hits, while striking out four. Michael Marsinek (Streetboro, Ohio -Walsh Jesuit) tossed the next 1.1 innings for EMU. The junior allowed just two base runners before Sam Delaplane (San Jose, Calif.-Leigh) relieved him, just two outs shy of EMU's first win of the season. Delaplane picked up the save after allowing a hit but finishing out the final 0.2 innings unscathed. Cameron Neff was saddled with the loss for the Gaels. Neff (0-2) went 7.2 innings, allowing two runs, while striking out eight in the loss.
Eastern Michigan scored two runs on 10 hits, leaving four runners stranded. John Montgomery (Anaheim Hills, Calif.-JSerra) and Mitchell McGeein (Calgary, Alberta-Vauxhall) led the Eagle offense, as each hit homers, while Jordan Peterson (Gilbert, Ariz. -Highland (Chandler-Gilbert C.C.)) and Joe Kennedy (St. John, Ind.-Mount Carmel) each put together two-hit ball games. Not only were they the first hits of the season for Kennedy, but his first collegiate hits. Defensively, the Green and White booted the ball on four occasions, recording its third-straight game with three-or-more errors.
The Gaels struck first in the bottom of the fifth. Davis Strong led off the inning reaching on an error by McGeein before stealing second base. Strong then advanced to third on a groundout from Steinberg. SMC took a 1-0 lead in the next at-bat when Austin Piscotty hit a flyball to centerfield, scoring Strong.
Eastern responded in the top of the seventh when McGeein made up for the error in the fifth when Neff served up a pitch for the third baseman. McGeein took advantage lifting the ball over the leftfield fence for his second homer of the year to lead off the inning and knot the game up at one run apiece.
The Eagles tacked on the go ahead run in the eighth inning. After Kennedy and John Rubino (Scottsdale, Ariz.-Horizon) were set down in order to begin the eighth, Montgomery stepped to the plate. Facing a 2-0 count, the sophomore ripped one into rightfield, sending the ball out of the park, putting EMU on top, 2-1.
The ninth inning proved to be no easy task for Eastern Michigan. To begin the inning, Marsinek got SMC's pinch hitter, Austin Chauvin to fly out to left before Strong hit a single through the left side, prompting Coach Van Ameyde to hit the bullpen. Delaplane entered the game and allowed the first batter he faced to single through the right side, putting runners at first and second with just one out. In the ensuing at-bat, a passed ball allowed both runners to advance a base, setting up a second and third situation. The SMC coaching staff decided to roll the dice with a 2-2 count, Darian Ramage squared to bunt for the suicide squeeze when the unthinkable happened. Not only did Ramage miss on the bunt attempt, striking out, but DiLeo was able to tag Strong out before reaching home to seal the victory for EMU.
The Eagles begin a doubleheader with the Gaels tomorrow, Feb. 21, beginning at 10 a.m. PT from Louis Guisto Field. The first game will be seven innings in length before the traditional nine inning affair in the nightcap.
Miami 9, SC Upstate 0
Boxscore
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The RedHawks (1-2, 0-0 MAC) were looking to rebound this weekend and got off to a quick start Friday, scoring early and often on their way to a 9-0 win over USC Upstate.
“We got a good start from Powers, leaving the game with a no-hitter,” said Head Coach Danny Hayden. “In addition, we did a lot of things well offensively and that’s something we didn’t do last weekend. We did a much better job of executing with guys in scoring position.”
The RedHawks earned the game’s first runs in the top of the second. Matt Honchel singled to start the inning and Max Andresen advanced Honchel on a fielder’s choice. Then, Scott Slappey singled, putting runners on first and third. Chad Sedio singled the next at-bat, scoring Honchel. With runners at first and third, Ryan Elble bunted for a single, loading the bases. Kendall Johnson then earned a walk, scoring Slappey. The RedHawks came out of the top half of the frame with a 2-0 lead.
The Red & White got on the board again in the top of the fourth. Elble hit a sacrifice fly after Sedio cranked a leadoff triple to left center, putting Miami up 3-0 after three and a half.
The RedHawks extended their lead once again in the top of the fifth. A two-out double by Andresen scored Honchel, extending the MU lead to 4-0 after four and a half innings.
MU poured it on further in the top of the seventh. With one out and the bases loaded, Slappey hammered a double to left field that scored Gary Russo and Honchel, extending the lead to 6-0. After a Sedio strikeout, Jacob Wolf pinch-hit for Elble. Wolf singled through the left side, scoring Andresen and Slappey.
Ryan Powers was lights out for the RedHawks. He finished with a career-high eight strikeouts while allowing no hits over six innings pitched. The possibility of a no-hitter was thwarted by a pitch count of 99. If he had gone the distance, he would’ve been the first Miami pitcher to throw a no-hitter since Jack Kucek no-hit Cincinnati during the 1974 NCAA District 4 Playoffs. Last year, Seth Varner took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before Davidson earned their first hit of the game on a one-out double.
The RedHawks rounded out their scoring for the day in the top of the eighth when a Steve Sada RBI single scored Jake Romano to make it 9-0. Romano reached base on a leadoff triple. In total, Miami leadoff hitters went 8-for-9 on the day.
Chris Ticherich made his first career appearance in relief of Powers, earning the save. He finished his day with two strikeouts, four hits and one walk over three innings pitched.
Spencer Dull also made his first appearance as a RedHawk. He subbed in defensively at catcher in the bottom of the ninth inning.
The RedHawks return to action tomorrow for a doubleheader against UNC-Asheville (12 p.m.) and Wofford (4 p.m.).
Ohio 6, Longwood 4
Boxscore
MARIETTA, Ga. – Three members of the Ohio baseball team (4-0) recorded multi-hit outings to lead the Bobcats to a 6-4 victory against Longwood (1-3) on Friday evening at the Lake Pointe Sports Complex in Marietta, Ga.
Longwood took an early lead in the first, with an RBI-single by Brandon Delk sending Connar Bastaich across the plate.
The Bobcats responded with two runs in the bottom of the first to take the lead. Ohio’s Jake Madsen (Cincinnati, Ohio) grounded out to second, sending Garrett Black (Lima, Ohio) across the plate. An RBI-single by Cody Gaertner (Pittsburgh, Pa.) sent Manny De Jesus home, giving Ohio the lead.
Following a solo-homer by Longwood in the fifth, Ohio tacked three runs onto the board to extend its lead. An RBI-double by De Jesus sent Tyler Finkler home, followed by a ground-rule double off the bat of Mitch Longo (Mayfield, Ohio) to send De Jesus home. Another Madsen RBI followed, scoring Longo.
The Lancers produced two runs in the seventh, closing in on the Bobcat lead. An RBI-single by Ty Black (Waynesville, Ohio) in the eighth sent Longo home, marking Black’s third-consecutive multi-hit game. The ninth inning was silent, solidifying the 6-4 Ohio win.
Jake Rudnicki (Toledo, Ohio) was rewarded the win in his second start of the season. Rudnicki struck out five batters, walked four, allowed six hits and two runs over his five innings on the mound.
Logan Cozart (New Philadelphia, Ohio) recorded his first save for the season, retiring three consecutive batters in the ninth to close the outing.
Longwood’s Aaron Myers was charged with the loss, allowing five earned runs, seven hits, striking out six and walking three over his six-inning start.
Toledo 3, Winthrop 0
Boxscore
ROCK HILL, SC - The Rockets registered their first win of the 2015 season with a 3-0 shutout-victory over Winthrop on Friday afternoon. Senior RHP Cameron Palmer earned the win for Toledo after 5.2 scoreless innings of work. The Canton, OH native struck out seven batters while giving up just two hits.
Winthrop (2-2) starter Sam Kmiec was tagged with the loss, giving up three earned runs on five hits in his seven innings on the mound. Kmiec gave up five hits and tallied 11 strikeouts.
Senior outfielder Anthony Smith kick-started the Rockets' offense with a lead-off double in the top of the fifth and advanced to third on a wild pitch to junior INF Tyler Baar. After Kmiec walked Baar, junior OF John Martillotta doubled to left field to score Smith and moved Baar to third. A pitch got away from Kmiec on the next batter and Baar was able to score on the passed ball to make it 2-0 Toledo.
Junior C Lucas Sokol and senior INF Nate Langhals tallied back-to-back singles to keep the UT momentum going and freshman A.J. Montoya recorded his third RBI of the season with a double to score Sokol and gave Toledo a 3-0 lead.
The Rockets' bullpen entered the game in the bottom half of the inning and gave up just one hit in the final 4.1 innings. Senior reliever Adam Tyson earned his first save of the season with a ninth inning shutout to clinch the win for Toledo.
The UT pitching staff held the Eagles hitless with runners on base including 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
The Rockets and Eagles return to action on Saturday afternoon with game one of a doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m. Game two will begin approximately 45 minutes following the conclusion of game one. Sophomore LHP Steven Calhoun is scheduled to make his second start of the season for Toledo.
Western Michigan 6, UT-Martin 4
Boxscore
EMERSON, Ga.- Western Michigan scored four runs in the eighth and one in the ninth to claw its way back from a 4-1 deficit and post a 6-4 victory over UT-Martin Friday. It was the first win of the season for the Broncos, who improved their record to 1-3.
Sophomore LHP Keegan Akin was phenomenal for the second straight start. After striking out nine batters over six innings last weekend at UAB, Akin stepped up to fan 10 over six innings against UT-Martin. It was the second time in his career he has recorded strikeouts in the double digits.
Akin scattered five hits and walked only two. He gave up two runs, only one of which was earned.
With the offense not coming alive until late, junior right-handed reliever Pat Haynes would go down as the pitcher of record, picking up the win in 1.2 innings of relief.
Junior RHP Gabe Berman shut out the Skyhawks over the final 1.1 innings to earn his 15th career save, one shy of the school record of 16. Berman stranded a runner in the eighth, as well as in the ninth.
Sophomore second baseman Nick Vogelmeier and junior shortstop Kurt Hoekstra led WMU with three hits each. The Broncos recorded 10 hits as a team. Senior right fielder Jared Kujawa had a hit and three RBIs, while freshman center fielder Tanner Allison drove in two runs.
Vogelmeier and Hoekstra started the rally in the eighth with back-to-back singles. Kujawa drove in the first run with a bases loaded fielder's choice and Hunter Prince ripped a one-out RBI single up the middle. Allison drove in the final two runs with two outs, to give WMU a 5-4 lead.
Vogelmeier and Hoekstra again led off the ninth with back-to-back singles, Vogelmeier laying down a bunt. Kujawa drove in his third RBI of the day for the insurance run.
UTM reliever Patrick Bernard took the loss, taking the mound with two away in the sixth. He allowed four runs (two earned) and three hits over 1.2 innings.
The Broncos and Skyhawks conclude the three-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at noon ET. RHP Chad Mayle is scheduled to take the mound for WMU in game one, followed by Allison, in what would be his first career start on the mound in game two, game three of the series.
Texas Tech 5, Northern Illinois 0 (Boxscore)
Texas Tech 8, Northern Illinois 0 (Boxscore)
LUBBOCK, Texas - NIU (3-2) completed its first doubleheader of a four game series at No. 5 Texas Tech (6-1) Friday afternoon, accounting for seven hits in each game. However, the Red Raiders high-powered offense overcame NIU's effort to defeat the Huskies in game one, 5-0, and 8-0 in game two.
Freshman Joe Jumonville (Munster, Ind./Munster) went 2-for-4 in game one and game two to finish the day 4-for-8, leading NIU in hits. Stephen Letz (Dyer, Ind./South Suburban College) accounted for three hits in on the day as well.
"It was a disappointing day outcome wise but we grinded for 18 innings. We battled all day but we couldn't get the big hit when we needed it," said Head Coach Mike Kunigonis. "Our pitchers gave us a chance to win both games and did a good job of battling a very talented offense. We will be ready to play two tomorrow."
GAME ONE
The Huskies put 10 men on base in the ball game but were unable to bring any around the full base path, leaving players on all six of their nine innings at the plate.
Through three innings, Texas Tech led the Huskies 1-0, before jumping out to a 4-0 lead through four frames.
NIU put two men on in the fifth and sixth innings in an attempt to break the scoring drought close the gap. The Red Raiders scored their final runs of the game in the bottom of the eight inning, increasing their lead, 8-0.
The Huskies spunk showed in the final frame, accounting for three hits in the inning to load the bases, including pinch hits by Tony Brandner (Richfield, Wis./Hartford Union/Winthrop) and Joe Boyle (Wheaton, Ill./Benet Academy). After a two-out single by Jumonville, NIU ended the game on a ground out to fall, 8-0.
Freshman Colby Carmichael (Des Moines, Iowa/Des Moines East) tossed 3.1 innings in his collegiate debut, throwing 54 pitches. TTU left nine men on base in the game.
GAME TWO
The Huskies again led in men left on base, holding a 7-5 advantage over Texas Tech.
Pitcher Seth Fuller (Moline, Ill./Moline/Blackhawk College) got off to a rough start in the game, surrendering four runs in the opening frame on three hits and two walks. The junior would finish the game with 5.0 innings of work, surrendering three hits in the final four innings with zero runs and zero walks allowed.
Matt Hoffman (East Dubuque, Ill./Wahlert Catholic) continued that strong pitching for Fuller in relief, tossing 2.0 shutout innings while only allowing two hits with zero walks in his Huskie debut.
At the plate, the Huskies left two men on base in the third and ninth innings, placing Boyle on third base in the third inning.
Brian Sisler finished the game 2-for-4 with a double in the sixth inning.
The Huskies and the reigning College World Series participant Red Raiders will close the series tomorrow in a doubleheader, starting at noon Central.
