Baseball drops 2-of-3 games to Kent State over weekend
Central Michigan baseball traveled to Kent, Ohio April 12-13 to play a two-day, three-game series against Kent State.
CMU (25-10, 8-4 in the Mid-American Conference) lost two of the three games to KSU (15-18, 5-5 in the MAC).
Game 1
KSU jumped out to an early lead and never let up, eventually winning the first game of the series 10-4.
Chippewa senior Pat Leatherman started on the mound and pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and six runs while walking three batters.
Most of the offense from CMU came on a second inning solo home run from senior center fielder Jacob Crum and a seventh inning two run home run by sophomore shortstop Zavier Warren.
CMU gave up three home runs to Kent State including a three-run home run that was part of a four-run third inning.
Leatherman would be given the loss, his first of the season.
Game 2
CMU was looking to rebound after the game one loss and was able to get the victory 7-4 in a close contest.
Junior right-hander Cameron Brown took the mound for CMU and pitched effectively, going six full innings allowing four runs on eight hits.
CMU took an early lead and after three innings led the game 4-2. Senior catcher Griffin Lockwood-Powell provided some early offense for the Chippewas with a third inning RBI triple.
Kent State tied the game up 4-4 with a two-run home run in the sixth inning from left fielder Justin Kirby.
In the ninth inning, a few pitching mishaps by Kent State would allow the Chippewas to score three runs and take a 7-4 lead. Then, The Chippewas slammed the door and shutout the Golden Flashes in the final inning.
CMU junior Zach Kohn, who pitched three perfect innings in relief, earned his third win of the season.
Game 3
Junior left-handed pitcher Tyler Hankins got the start in the final game of the series for the Chippewas.
Unfortunately for CMU, Hankins did not have his best stuff. Hankins pitched less than an inning allowing five runs, most of which came from the three run home run and the solo home run he gave up.
From there KSU got an early 6-0 lead after two and CMU was unable to get back into the game. The Golden Flashes would go on to win 12-4.
The brightest moment of the game for the Chippewas came in the third frame when Crum hit a two-run home run, his fifth of the season.
After the series head coach Jordan Bischel discussed what CMU should take away from the series.
"To me, this series needs to show us that we need to be consistently committed to the things we value," Bischel said. "We are very good when we do, and very average when we don't. I am extremely excited to get to practice on Monday so we can have a great week of preparation."
Up Next
CMU takes on Cornerstone University April 17 at 4.p.m. at Theunissen Stadium before traveling to Toledo for a three game series April 19-21.
