Eastern Michigan University (EMU) faced two defeats in a Mid-American Conference doubleheader against Ball State University on April 4th at Oestrike Stadium. The team lost the first game 13-2 in seven innings and the second game 4-2 in 14 innings. Despite the outcomes, EMU pitchers Drew Beckner and Ethan Davis performed well, allowing just two runs off eight hits, striking out nine, and walking two in a combined 10.1 innings.
EMU’s baseball record now stands at 13-14 overall and 8-6 in the MAC, while Ball State improved to 22-10 overall and 9-2 in the conference.
In the first game, Ball State scored five runs in the opening inning and continued to maintain their lead with additional runs in the third and fifth innings. Eastern Michigan managed two runs, highlighted by a double from Cooper Vance and a sacrifice fly by Bruce Jellison. Pitchers Devan Zirwas and Collin Milligan contributed with standout performances, each securing strikeouts and preventing additional runs.
The second game saw Beckner initiate with four scoreless innings before Ball State made a breakthrough with a two-run double. Eastern Michigan responded with a two-run single from Harrison Travis, but the game remained scoreless for extra innings. Ball State finally broke the tie with two runs in the 14th inning, winning 4-2. Beckner’s eight strikeouts in this game also marked his 200th career strikeout.
These games marked the 173rd and 174th meetings between the two teams, with Ball State leading the series 88-85-1 after these wins. EMU will complete its series against Ball State on April 6th.
