Baseball defeats MSU
A victory over Michigan State was one of the only rays of sunshine that the baseball team experienced during its season-opening trip to Florida.
The team went 2-5 in the Sunshine State during the break.
“We were able to solidify a few things this past week, specifically in the infield,” said Head Coach Steve Jaksa. “We created depth which is very helpful.”
The Chippewas defeated in-state foe Michigan State 9-2, getting solid pitching from senior right-hander Jeff Garner.
Garner pitched seven innings, giving up only two hits and one run, while striking out a career-high 14 batters.
“Jeff threw six strong innings. With that last one he got a little fatigued,” Jaksa said. “Jeff’s elbow was a little tender when we got to Florida, so he didn’t pitch opening day.”
Garner’s injury was an inflammation of the tendon, with the possibility of a strain.
For his performance in the game against Michigan State, Garner received MAC West Pitcher of the Week.
Sophomore infielder David Latour had three hits, three RBI and one run scored.
The squad is coming off a 2-1 loss to Eastern Illinois.
Redshirt Freshman Ty Dunham had a solid effort, pitching five innings, allowing three hits, two earned runs and striking out three.
“Ty is coming off shoulder surgery nine months ago. His velocity isn’t quite back to what it once was just yet, but he gave us five good innings,” Jaksa said.
Senior Tommy Grubb two hits and the only RBI.
It was the first win of the season for Eastern Illinois (1-2).
The Chippewas participated in the North Florida Tournament, facing MSU, Vanderbilt and host North Florida.
Against UNF, the team lost 10-2 because of five errors that led to six unearned runs. Left-handed junior Ryan Cremeans pitched five innings, giving up seven runs.
Senior Ryan Krueger had three hits, including a home run, two RBI and a run scored.
Against Vanderbilt (7-6), the Chippewas lost 19-2. Vanderbilt had 22 hits in the game, compared to just seven for CMU.
Left-handed junior T.J. Johnson got roughed up in his second-consecutive start, giving up seven earned runs in 3.1 innings.
Freshman Chase Welker hit his first career home run, providing the team with its only runs. Grubb was the only player on the team with more than one hit, as the rest of the team combined to strikeout 13 times.
The squad opened the season with a three-game series against South Florida last week.
In the final game of the series, USF defeated CMU, 13-2.
CMU was outhit 12-7, with all seven hits being singles coming from different players.
Latour and Grubb each had an RBI for the team.
Jaksa said consistency is what he’s looking for.
“We hit really well the first two games, and now we just want to put everything together,” he said.
The team got its first win of the season with a 12-9 decision in the second game of the series. The team had 15 hits, including six for extra bases.
Junior right-hander David LeMieux pitched the final five innings, giving up four hits and two runs, while striking out six.
Sophomore infielder Jeff LaFavors Jr. sparked the team with a double and a solo home run as part of his two RBI, three-run performance. Freshman Bryan Mitzel added a three-run home run in just his second collegiate at-bat.
Injuries hurt the squad as sophomore catcher Keith Sampsell injured his thumb and missed five games.
CMU has the week off before heading down to Carbondale, Illinois to face Southern Illinois. A double-header is on the schedule for Saturday and the series finale is set for Sunday.
