Eastern Michigan University's baseball team kicked off their series against Central Michigan University with a thrilling win on Thursday, March 28, at Oestrike Stadium. In a tension-filled game, the Eagles mounted a dramatic late-game comeback, rallying in the ninth inning.
Junior Logan Hugo's (Essexville, Mich.) clutch single sealed the deal, securing a heart-stopping 5-4 victory, setting the stage for an electrifying series ahead.
In a stunning comeback, the Eagles refused to be held down, clawing their way back from a 4-0 deficit in a heart-stopping battle against Central Michigan. The game took a thrilling turn in the eighth inning when EMU unleashed a barrage of runs, ignited by a thunderous two-RBI double from the dynamic junior, Giano Zuccaro (Middleburg Heights, Ohio).
With the crowd on the edge of their seats, EMU's defense held strong, shutting down Central Michigan's offense to maintain the suspense. Then, in a moment of pure magic, the Eagles seized victory in the bottom of the ninth inning as Logan Hugo delivered a game-winning RBI single, igniting jubilant celebrations across the stadium.
Stepping into the spotlight, freshman Liam Baker (Cleveland, Ohio/Saint Ignatius) emerged as a pivotal figure for EMU (10-14, 5-2 Mid-American Conference). Despite his youth, Baker showcased his mettle on the mound, claiming a crucial victory out of the bullpen.
The right-hander's performance was nothing short of electrifying, holding the opposition at bay for 0.1 innings and shutting down any hopes of a comeback with a stellar strikeout. Entering the game in the ninth inning, Baker earned the first win of his college career. Baker did not allow a hit or run while walking and striking out one opposing batter.
Senior Bobby Jones set the stage for Baker's heroics (Loveland, Ohio/St. Xavier/Xavier). Jones set the tone early, commanding the game for seven solid innings, though not without facing adversity.
Despite surrendering four earned runs on six hits, the veteran pitcher's resilience shone through, striking out seven and demonstrating unwavering determination.
Up next, the Eagles and Chippewas will meet on the diamond for the second game of the series on Friday, March 29, at 1 p.m.
