The Eastern Michigan University baseball team season came to a close Saturday night after an impressive run in the Mid-American Conference tournament in Avon, Ohio this weekend.
Kent State 1, EMU 0
Their first game was a 1-0 loss to number one seeded Kent State, where the only run came from a home run in the second inning. The Eagles’ pitching staff struck out nine batters in the contest. The Eagles’ only recorded four hits in the contest, all of them singles. The Eagles never advanced anyone past second in the loss.
EMU 6, Northern Illinois 2
On the verge of elimination, the Eagles collected themselves to advance to the third day with a 6-2 victory over Northern Illinois. This victory was the Eagles’ first MAC tournament win since 2012. The Eagles scored six runs on ten hits, including three doubles in the fifth inning. Freshman Tyler Butzin pitched five shutout innings, striking out four. In relief, Sam Delaplane pitched 2.1 innings to complete the game, only allowing one baserunner on a walk.
EMU 6, Toledo 1
The Eagles advanced to the fourth day of the MAC tournament with a 6-1 victory over Toledo Friday afternoon. Starting Pitcher Augie Gallardo threw six strikeouts in his first career complete game. Junior John Montgomery would be an offensive power for the Eagles, going 3-for-4 with a double and a home run. Sophomore Brennan Williams and junior Michael Midouszewski also had multi-hit games, with Midouszewski getting a RBI.
EMU 10, Kent State 5
With that win, the Eagles earned a rematch with top-seeded Kent State on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles would take advantage of the rematch and win 10-5 to force a decisive second semifinal game later that night. The Eagles’ scored ten runs on twelve hits, including three home runs. Senior Tony DiLeo was the offensive power for the Eagles, going 3-for-4 hitting with three RBIs and a home run. Delaplane stood out on the mound as he pitched the final three innings of the contest without giving up a run. In those innings, Delaplane struck out three and only gave up two hits.
Kent State 4, EMU 2
After winning three straight games, the Eagles season came to a close Saturday night to Kent State in the semifinals of the MAC tournament. Kevin Shul started the game for the Eagles and pitched five innings, only allowing one unearned run. The Eagles took a 2-1 lead into the eighth inning before Kent State’s Conner Simonetti hit a solo home run off of Michael Marsinek. Kent State then took the lead off of a blooper off the bat of Dom Iero and then scored an insurance run to secure a 4-2 lead. The Eagles were unable to regain the lead in the top of the ninth with Midouszewski grounding out to end the ballgame.
