YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (Interstat) — Devan Zirwas went 4 for 5 with a home run and five RBIs to lead Eastern Michigan to a 15-5 victory over Youngstown State on Wednesday, May 6.

The Eagles improved to 16-30, while the Penguins dropped to 10-37.

Eastern Michigan broke the game open with an eight-run fourth inning, erasing a 2-2 tie. Bruce Jellison’s fielder’s choice scored TJ Williams for the go-ahead run. Ty Stecko added an RBI single, and Zirwas doubled down the right-field line for two more RBIs. Drew Jones then homered to left field, driving in three runs. TJ Williams capped the outburst with an RBI double.

Zirwas also drove in a run on a sacrifice fly in the first inning, singled home a run in the fifth and homered to right field in the ninth. He finished with five RBIs on the day.

Jellison went 1 for 5 but made his hit count, launching a three-run homer to left center in the sixth inning that stretched the lead to 14-2. He drove in four runs. Jones finished 1 for 5 with three RBIs on his fourth-inning homer. Williams went 3 for 4 with an RBI and scored twice.

Eastern Michigan used a parade of relievers to quiet the Youngstown State bats. Michael Pfeiffer threw two hitless innings, striking out three. Ethan Rowland delivered two scoreless innings with three strikeouts and no hits allowed. Henry Slaby also struck out three in two hitless frames. Emmett Gillies recorded two outs without allowing a run.

Ryan Schummer provided Youngstown State’s only extra-base hit, a three-run homer to right field in the fifth inning that cut the deficit to 11-5. He finished 1 for 5. Chyran Humphries had a two-run single in the second inning that tied the game at 2-2.

Eastern Michigan collected 14 hits and took advantage of four hit batters and six walks. Youngstown State managed eight hits and five walks.

The Eagles had lost two of three at home to Bowling Green in their previous series but snapped a two-game losing streak. Youngstown State had lost three of four entering the contest, including a series defeat to Northern Kentucky.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Eastern Michigan 4, Youngstown State 3. Interstat’s ELO system gave the Eagles a 59.50 percent probability to win.

Eastern Michigan next travels to Kent State for a three-game series starting Friday. Youngstown State hosts Milwaukee for a weekend set beginning Friday.