The Eastern Michigan University men’s baseball team were defeated on Tuesday in Ann Arbor, Mich., by the University of Michigan by a score of 17-2, which means that the Eagles have lost the season series to their Washtenaw County rivals, having lost two of three games.
Eastern Michigan (19-33) weren’t able to thwart off the University of Michigan (32-21) offense, giving up 11 hits and 17 runs while committing four errors on the evening.
Starting pitcher Brent Mattson (1-3) was handed his third loss of the season, pitching only one and two-thirds innings, giving up nine runs on seven hits and recording no strike-outs before being replaced on the mound.
Relief pitchers Chase Flanery and Devon Bronson pitched for a combined three innings, giving up eight runs and walking 10 batters. Bronson struck out three batters in his brief time on the mound.
Kyle Huckaby, freshman relief pitcher, was the only Eagles pitchers to figure out how to stop the Wolverines attack. Huckaby pitched for three and one-third innings, giving up no runs on no hits and striking out three batters.
The Wolverines pulled ahead in the first inning when a single and a double lead to three runs being scored and it was all downhill from there for the Eagles.
Michigan exploded for a big second inning, scoring six runs and going up on the Eagles by a score of 9-0. After the ninth run was scored, Mattson’s day on the mound was over after having no luck against Michigan’s offensive power.
The fourth inning saw Michigan score eight more runs against two Eagles pitchers to put the Wolverines up by a score of 17-0 and the game looked all but over.
There was no hope for the Eagles to get a victory on Tuesday night after the fourth inning passed, but a single positive came out of the game in the form of second baseman John Rubino.
In the seventh inning Rubino came up to bat and single through to the right side, earning two RBI’s by allowing Austin Wilson and David Lett to cross the plate.
On Tuesday, Rubino went 2-for-5 at the plate and earned the teams only RBI’s on the evening.
The Eagles season hasn’t been very successful, but through the second half of the campaign has saw John Rubino become the most consistent player for Eastern Michigan. Rubino has a batting average of .308, good enough for second on the team behind John Montgomery. Rubino has crossed the plate a team high 30 times on the season as well as having the most hits on the team with 65.
This past weekend saw Rubino steal his 33rd base of the season, breaking a single season record. Rubino is now sitting on 35 stolen bases.
Looking Forward:
The Eastern Michigan University baseball team will host the University of Toledo in a Thursday, Friday, Saturday series to close out the season. Saturday’s matinee game will also act as Senior Night for the players who will not return next year.
The University of Toledo holds an overall record of 22-28 with a Mid-American Conference record of 14-10.
The three game series does have MAC Tournament implications, but even with three wins against Toledo the Eagles won’t be able to qualify for the tournament.
Social Media:
Follow Robert Sherman on Twitter: @r__sherman
