Baseball heads to Wichita State this weekend
Central Michigan University baseball Head Coach Steve Jaksa said winning is about seeing the team progress each week while continuing to be successful in certain areas.
“Our goal is to always get a little better each week,” Jaksa said. “That takes on a lot of difference variables of what that is. It’s about the consistency of an approach and the consistency of a mindset, which is an attitude. It’s about playing the game hard every time we go out there.”
That’s what the Chippewas (8-4) will be looking to do this weekend on the road against Wichita State.
Jaksa said pitching and defense always go hand-in-hand.
“For us it really revolves around those same themes of defense pitching and then keeping pressure on the opponent offensively, which is an approach,” said Jaksa.
First pitch will be at 4 p.m. Friday followed by a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 3 p.m. The series finale is at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Starting pitcher this weekend for CMU will be sophomore Nick Deeg in Game 1, freshman Pat Leatherman in Game 2, junior Jason Gamble in Game 3 and junior Adam Aldred in Game 4.
Freshman shortstop Zach McKinstry said going into the series with Witchita State means having to deal with quality pitching.
"They (Wichita State) have really good pitchers,” said McKinstry. “We know that every year. Hopefully we come out and three or four wins there.”
The Shockers come into this series having lost five straight games including being shut out in two of their last three against Long Beach State.
“They (Wichita State) have played a very difficult schedule,” said Jaksa. “They will be playing at home and they always get a big crowd with all the season ticket holders. The weather looks good and it’s going to be a fun series.”
WSU is outscoring opponents 24-5, but in losses have been outscored 46-19.
WSU is 3-7 this season with wins over Texas State and Sam Houston State.
Coming into the season the Shockers were ranked No. 32 in the nation.
In 2014, WSU lost in the semi-finals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament to Illinois State 6-1 as the fourth seed.
Junior first baseman Ryan Tinkham leads the Shockers on offense. He has started all 10 games. The Simi Valley, Calif. native has posted a .382 average along with 13 hits, which leads WSU. His seven RBI’s also are tops for WSU.
Sophomore pitcher Sam Tewes leads the starting staff for the Shockers.
The Lincoln, Neb. native has the lowest earned runs average of the starting pitchers for WSU at 2.12. His 17 strikeouts are a team best as well as his .227 opponents batting average.
CMU is coming off three consecutive wins over Texas State last weekend outscoring TSU 21-9 in the three victories.
Jaksa said he has seen a few specific things improve but wants to see his team progress in a few areas heading into the weekend.
“We have to play every game defensively at a high level,” said Jaksa. “Our short game bunting wise was a little bit better last weekend. We want to see these two things take a step up. Scoring the runner from third base with less than two outs was better. We want to continue to see these things improve.”
Starting pitching for the Chippewas have been very consistent with three starters with an ERA at 3.00 or lower.
As an entire pitching staff, including the bullpen, the CMU ERA is at 3.81.
Sophomore pitcher Nick Deeg and freshman pitcher Pat Leatherman have led the starting staff.
Leatherman, a Jenison, MI. native, is 1-0 on the season in three starts. He has an ERA at 3.00. His 11 strikeouts are second to Deeg’s 12.
Deeg is 2-1 on the season with an ERA at 2.00, the best of any CMU starter with at least three starts this season. His 18 innings-pitched are tied with Leatherman for the team lead.
Senior second basemen Pat Mackenzie leads all Chippewas with 16 hits and a .348 batting average.
McKinstry said he credits his early success to doing a combination of different things while playing.
“I think it’s about following the game plan,” said McKinstry. It’s about driving runs in and doing my job and getting on base.
Junior center fielder Logan Regnier is tops on the team with nine RBI’s and three triples. His .543 slugging percentage leads CMU while his .326 batting average is second.
“We have to take care of our business,” Jaksa said.
