The Eastern Michigan University baseball team faced a setback on Friday, April 18, with a 3-0 loss against the University at Albany Great Danes at Varsity Field. This was the second game of a three-game series, setting the stage for the deciding match on Saturday.
The Eastern Eagles were led by Harrison Travis from Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, and Brendan Kleiman from Olney, Maryland, both of whom recorded two hits each despite the team’s overall struggle to score.
Freshman right-hander Colin Milligan started for Eastern Michigan, recording career highs with four innings pitched and five strikeouts. However, he also suffered the loss, now standing at a 0-2 record. Albany’s Dylan Banner improved his record to 4-3 with the win.
Following this game, Eastern’s season record moved to 15-18, while Albany’s improved to 11-22.
The game’s early innings were marked by strong pitching and defense from both sides, keeping the score at zero through the third inning. Albany broke the deadlock in the fourth with a run from a bases-loaded wild pitch.
Sophomore Emmett Gillies relieved Milligan at the beginning of the fifth inning after Milligan’s solid performance. Albany added two more runs in the fifth off an RBI single and a throwing error by the EMU catcher.
Dom Anderson, a senior, took over pitching duties in the seventh inning. He managed to keep Albany from further scoring by allowing only one base during his time on the mound.
In the ninth inning, Eastern Michigan’s Devan Zirwas and Ty Stecko managed to get on base, bringing the potential tying run to the plate. However, the Eagles could not overcome the deficit, ending the game without any runs.
Key highlights include Kleiman and Travis having multi-hit games and Milligan achieving career highs. Additionally, Anderson maintained his streak of not allowing earned runs in five consecutive outings.
This game marked the second meeting ever between Eastern Michigan and Albany, leaving their all-time record tied at 1-1 after Friday’s match. The Eagles’ only shutout loss previously occurred against Houston Christian last season.
The series against Albany will conclude on Saturday, April 19, at 1 p.m., and fans can follow the game through a live stream and live stats.
