The freshman left-hander gave up seven hits and while throwing more than 120 pitches in the Chippewas’ 3-0 win in the second game of a doubleheader at Theunissen Stadium.

Central lost the first game 3-1 after Toledo’s two runs broke a 1-1 tie in the eighth inning. Toledo took game one of the three-game series 14-10 on Friday.

“It was a good series,” said coach Steve Jaksa. “We came up just short of our goal of getting both games (Sunday) – we had to fight like the devil to get the second.”

Toledo retained the Mid-American Conference West Division lead by taking two of three. CMU sits three games back in third place.

Pinch-runner Ricky Clark gave CMU an insurance run in the eighth inning of the team’s win when he stole home with two outs for a 3-0 lead.

Central took a first-inning lead when sophomore right fielder Matt Faiman came around to score on an error by Toledo left fielder Josh Wiezba.

Sophomore designated hitter Brendan Emmett put the team up 2-0 in the fifth inning on freshman second baseman Rhett Goodmiller’s squeeze bunt.

Central was held hitless until the sixth inning, when junior left fielder Billy Anderson doubled down the right-field line.

Howard kept the Chippewas in the game, stifling the Rockets’ offense with eight strikeouts. The error-free defensive effort behind him didn’t hurt, either.

“Things just went my way,” he said. “I didn’t have any bloopers drop and the defense was nothing less than solid-defense, luck and command were all there.”

Howard faced just three batters in each of the last three innings and did not allow a base runner to advance past second base.

A two-hour rain delay stopped Sunday’s first game after the eighth inning, in which the Rockets took a 3-1 lead.

Toledo shortstop Jared Hoying singled to lead off the eighth and stole second. But with two outs, pinch-hitter Dan Sherwood doubled to left field to score Hoying and Ben Hammer, who was intentionally walked.

Senior left-hander Dan Taylor gave up just two runs – one earned – on six hits during 7 1/3 innings. He also struck out six batters and did not allow a walk.

Sophomore center fielder Rod Helsen reached on a walk in the Chippewas’ ninth inning, but freshman third baseman Reid Rooney grounded into a double play to end the game.

Toledo’s starter Matt Kuna and relievers Jeff Cinadr and Matt Zahel combined to hold the Chippewas to just one run and five hits.

“I was disappointed that we didn’t get both,” Jaksa said. “But you have to give (Toledo) credit in the way they came in here this weekend.”

The Chippewas return to Theunissen Stadium at 3:05 p.m. Tuesday for matchup against Concordia College.

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The scoreboard lights showed what the junior left fielder struggled to explain – the baseball team’s 3-0 win with just two hits.

With the win, CMU avoided a weekend sweep against Toledo after the team dropped the first two games to the Mid-American Conference West Division leader.

But Anderson, with a sheepish grin, said he could not find the words that best fit the Chippewas’ performance in the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader.

“We just kind of rode through the waves and gutted out a win,” he said. “Guys were doing what they could to get on base . we didn’t have many hits, but we got on base and hitters were doing what they could to get them over.”

The Chippewas, already with a 2-0 lead, were held hitless until Anderson led off the sixth inning with a double down the right-field line.

Sophomore right fielder Matt Faiman reached on a fumbled grounder in the first inning and scored when sophomore first baseman Casey Ingle’s shot to left field popped out of UT’s Josh Wierzba’s glove.

Sophomore designated hitter Brandan Emmett reached on an error in the fifth inning and scored on a squeeze bunt, both without the team collecting its first hit.

The Chippewas were aided by the Rockets’ three errors, which led the way for the team’s first two runs.

Toledo starter Mike Inselmann stifled CMU hitters, earning a quality start by giving up one earned run on two hits while lasting 7 2/3 innings.

“He had a lot of movement,” Anderson said. “He kept the ball down and us off balance.”

Even with the team’s lack of offense, Central kept itself in the game with freshman left-hander Trent Howard throwing a shutout in his first collegiate complete game.

He said afterward that he did not even notice the lack of hits being produced.

“I wasn’t thinking of the score,” Howard said. “I was just thinking of going out there and putting another zero on the board every inning.”

Behind Howard, CMU’s defense turned in an error-free day in the field.

“We turned some double plays and Trent fielded his position well,” said coach Steve Jaksa. “And we didn’t make an error the entire game – I always say defense and pitching keep you in any game.”

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He did not register an official at-bat, but his only plate appearance pushed CMU past Michigan State, 7-6, Wednesday at Dow Diamond in Midland.

With the bases loaded and no outs, MSU closer Peter Wolff hit Ingle, which allowed junior left fielder Billy Anderson to touch home plate for the game’s winning run.

Ingle said being hit was the last thing he expected.

“I was just calm and hoping to put the barrel on the ball – there was a lot of ways to win that game,” he said. “The count was 3-and-1, I thought at least he would put it across the plate.”

The team returns to Theunissen Stadium and Mid-American Conference play today at 3:05 p.m. against Toledo. Jaksa will send his trio of left-handers to the mound this weekend to go against Toledo right-handers, starting today with senior Steve Teno against Justin Callop. The series continues Saturday at 2:05 p.m., pitting senior Dan Taylor against Matt Kuna and the 1:05 p.m. Sunday series closer will pit freshman Trent Howard against Mike Inselmann.

The win against the Spartans avenges a 17-run loss CMU suffered on April 1 in East Lansing.

“That seems like eons ago,” said coach Steve Jaksa. “That was just one game. No questions it was in the back of our mind, but that was one loss.”

Wednesday’s comeback walk-off win gives the team a boost heading into the weekend. CMU sits two games behind division-leading Toledo.

“I think the big thing is the confidence in the guys knowing what they can do,” Jaksa said. “They recognize what they did . Toledo doesn’t care that we won today.”

With the Chippewas down to their last at-bat and down three runs, consecutive bunt-singles loaded the bases with no out.

Anderson then blooped a single into short left field, scoring two. Next, junior second baseman Tyler Kipke singled to short center, tying the game and setting up Ingle after MSU walked sophomore right fielder Matt Faiman.

“We had some clutch hits in the end and some great bunting,” Jaksa said. “I’m really happy for the guys.”

Freshman left-hander Rick Dodridge started and earned a no-decision after allowing five runs on six hits during four innings.

Freshman right-hander Harvey Martin earned his first collegiate win, throwing a hitless ninth inning.

Central was held hitless until the third inning and scoreless until the sixth. The team capitalized with the bases loaded and one out when three runs scored on a pair of hits, highlighted by senior catcher Dale Cornstubble’s two-RBI single to left center.

But MSU was ahead 6-0 before Central cut it to 6-3.

CMU failed to score with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh inning.

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The Chippewas added high school guard Finis Craddock out of Garland, Texas, along with junior college forward William McClure of Lake Land College in Mattoon, Ill., and guard Amir Rashid of Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas.

The trio will join forward Tyler Brown, who was signed last fall.

“I think, as a group, the entire class brings much needed depth, quickness and ability for us to play at a much faster pace,” Zeigler said.

The team graduated seniors Marcus Van, Brandon Ford and walk-on Ryan Thomas, but adds four players to next season’s recruiting class. Zeigler said during the coming months, the team will lose one or two players from the current roster. He did not want to specify further.

Zeigler spoke highly of his new signees, saying each player has the potential to make an impact with their contributions next season.

Craddock, he said, is a very versatile and athletic combination guard who has the quickness and ability to attack the basket to create his own scoring opportunities.

Rashid brings quickness and the ability to score from the outside and toughness to the guard position.

With the Chippewas’ top two guards – Robbie Harman and Jordan Bitzer – entering their senior seasons next years, the two signees gives the team a sense of security in the near future.

“They’re going to be a nice addition and they bring a great attitude – all come from winning programs,” Harman said. “It’s definitely going to be in preparation for the future, with me and Bitz having been in the program for four years.”

Harman said he and Bitzer expect to lead and tutor the incoming guards in how to run the offense and also that they take an active role by asking questions.

“I think that’s going to be huge,” Harman said. “Last year we had a lack of depth, so two guards coming in, that’ll be really beneficial.”

Zeigler said William McClure will bring much needed toughness and tenacity to the glass with the departure of Van, the team’s leading rebounder.

“He will definitely have every opportunity,” Zeigler said of McClure filling Van’s spot. “We have the two returners, but he will definitely come in and push both for minutes. Competition – I’m excited about that competition on a daily basis.”

Senior center Chris Kellermann and junior forward Marko Spica will both return next season after missing the majority of 2008-2009 with injuries.

Zeigler’s class of four recruits, unlike pervious years, all come from out-of-state. He credits this with the ties he and his coaching staff have made.

But he also said Michigan will always be the core of his recruiting base.

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The scoreboard lights showed what the junior left fielder struggled to explain – the baseball team’s 3-0 win with just two hits.

With the win, CMU avoided a weekend sweep against Toledo after the team dropped the first two games to the Mid-American Conference West Division leader.

But Anderson, with a sheepish grin, said he could not find the words that best fit the Chippewas’ performance in the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader.

“We just kind of rode through the waves and gutted out a win,” he said. “Guys were doing what they could to get on base . we didn’t have many hits, but we got on base and hitters were doing what they could to get them over.”

The Chippewas, already with a 2-0 lead, were held hitless until Anderson led off the sixth inning with a double down the right-field line.

Sophomore right fielder Matt Faiman reached on a fumbled grounder in the first inning and scored when sophomore first baseman Casey Ingle’s shot to left field popped out of UT’s Josh Wierzba’s glove.

Sophomore designated hitter Brandan Emmett reached on an error in the fifth inning and scored on a squeeze bunt, both without the team collecting its first hit.

The Chippewas were aided by the Rockets’ three errors, which led the way for the team’s first two runs.

Toledo starter Mike Inselmann stifled CMU hitters, earning a quality start by giving up one earned run on two hits while lasting 7 2/3 innings.

“He had a lot of movement,” Anderson said. “He kept the ball down and us off balance.”

Even with the team’s lack of offense, Central kept itself in the game with freshman left-hander Trent Howard throwing a shutout in his first collegiate complete game.

He said afterward that he did not even notice the lack of hits being produced.

“I wasn’t thinking of the score,” Howard said. “I was just thinking of going out there and putting another zero on the board every inning.”

Behind Howard, CMU’s defense turned in an error-free day in the field.

“We turned some double plays and Trent fielded his position well,” said coach Steve Jaksa. “And we didn’t make an error the entire game – I always say defense and pitching keep you in any game.”

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The secondary already has been a problem area for the defense, finishing last season with the 118th ranked pass defense. Quarterbacks threw for a combined 213 yards in the intrasquad scrimmage that concludes spring practices.

The scrimmage put the offense against the defense in different game-like scenarios with a modified scoring system in preparation for the regular season, which begins on Sept. 5.

For coach Butch Jones, the game was more about evaluating the roster – starters and backups – than the final outcome.

“We put them in all kinds of situations tonight,” he said. “It’s going to be very interesting, especially for the younger players, to see how they respond.”

Senior quarterback Dan LeFevour was the first to run the offense, but lasted just one series, completing all three of his pass attempts for 21 yards.

He took the offense 28 yards down to the 7-yard line but failed to reach the end zone. Facing fourth-and-12, the offense opted for a field goal by senior kicker Andrew Aguila.

The offense did not score a touchdown all game, but Aguila finished with three field goals – two from 24 yards and one from 30 yards.

Senior defensive end Sam Williams sacked LeFevour twice on the opening drive.

After the first series, freshman Ryan Radcliff and sophomore Derek Rifenbury split the remaining time under center.

Both are vying for the back-up quarterback job vacated last season by Brian Brunner.

Radcliff edged Rifenbury, going 13-for-19 for 149 yards. Rifenbury ended the day with 42 yards on 7-for-10 passing.

Freshman running back Jahleel Addae led the offense on the ground, gaining 39 yards on seven rushes.

“We expect Jahleel to be a big contributor to our football family,” Jones said. “And this summer is going to be very, very big for him, but we expect him to compete.”

Addae also displayed his versatility by lining up as a slot receiver, catching one ball for 10 yards.

The defense earned its points by stopping the offense and forcing punts, but it failed to force any turnovers by the offense.

Coming into the game, the defensive backfield showcased many position battles, which Jones said will carry over into the summer when practice starts up again.

“We won’t announce a starting line-up until the first game against Arizona,” he said. “The competition is very healthy and I think it brings out the best in everyone.”

Jones said the depth chart will sort itself out during the summer when last year’s starters – senior cornerbacks Eric Fraser and Josh Gordy – return from injury.

“I’m very optimistic,” he said of his team’s chance to improve its pass defense. “To the naked eye, everyone’s quick to point at the secondary … the MAC has great quarterbacks and if you let anyone stand back there and have all time to throw, you’re going to be in trouble.”

At linebacker, junior Nick Bellore is moving from middle linebacker to outside linebacker. He said it was different being in a new position in a game situation, but said he adjusted.

“A couple plays in there, I got my bearings about me,” Bellore said. “But I think it was a good night and I think a lot of people did well tonight.”

As the middle linebacker last season, Bellore led the team with 148 tackles, 58 more than the next man.

“The outlook for 2009 – I think we have a lot of young guys, but they got some talent,” LeFevour said. “I think they got to show that off today and they’ll keep it going throughout the summer and into fall camp.”

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Now, three weeks later, the Chippewas play Ball State, opening the series at 3 p.m. today in Muncie, Ind. They will attempt to snap the two-series drought.

CMU is coming off a 5-4 loss Wednesday on the road against the University of llinois-Chicago.

Despite the losses, coach Steve Jaksa said the team puts itself in positions to win.

“There’s no added urgency for what we have to do this weekend,” he said. “We’re close in all those games – we’ve been in striking distance. Now we need to carry this attitude into Ball State.”

But to junior center fielder Billy Anderson, a series win against Ball State sets the team up for the rest of the season. It is all about timing, he says.

“The biggest thing for us is being able to move runners at the right time,” he said. “And to get the pitchers in and out of the inning fast and get (the offense) back to work.”

The Chippewas out-hit the Flames, 10-7, but left six runners on base. Anderson still said the team is really close to achieving the timing it needs.

Today, Central needs a strong day at the plate against Ball State, which owns the best earned-run average in the MAC. The Cardinals will start undefeated right-hander Brad Piatt (4-0).

Central will counter will its own ace, senior left-hander Steve Teno.

In his last outing, Teno lasted 8 1/3 innings and allowed four earned runs, earning a no-decision in the team’s extra-inning loss against Miami University.

The series continues on 1 p.m. Saturday with BSU’s right-hander Brenden Stines going against senior right-hander Dan Taylor.

It concludes 1 p.m. Sunday with the BSU right-hander Kolbrin Vitek matching up with freshman left-hander Trent Howard.

This is Ball State’s first action since Sunday after two home midweek games were rained out.

WEDNESDAY

The Chippewas briefly held a 2-1 lead in the top of the third inning when two runs scored on three hits.

UIC scored twice in the bottom of the inning to retake the lead when sophomore right fielder Matt Faiman narrowly missed a line drive that turned into an inside-the-park home run.

Freshman right-hander Rick Dodridge lasted through the third inning and took the loss. He was taken out when he reached Jaksa’s predetermined pitch count to save arms for the weekend.

The Flames scored two more runs in the fifth inning to lead 4-1.

The Chippewas came to within one run by scoring two in the eighth inning, but they could not get the one hit they needed.

“I thought in certain situations that we weren’t as aggressive as I wanted to be,” Jaksa said. “In a one-run game, that all gets magnified.”

Anderson, used as the designated hitter, led the team with two hits and two runs scored.

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The freshman left-hander allowed just five hits in 6 2/3 innings against one of CMU’s Big Ten in-state rivals.

Dodridge gave way to a fellow freshman – right-hander Zach Cooper – who did not allow a hit in his two innings on the mound. Central went on to win 10-2 in Ann Arbor.

Since the team’s return to Mount Pleasant on March 18, the pair, along with fellow freshman left-hander Trent Howard, have solidified a spot on the baseball team’s pitching staff.

“I think all three of them are a work in progress,” said coach Steve Jaksa. “But every time they go out they learn and it’s a new experience for them. Each of them competes and you can’t be an effective pitcher if they don’t compete.”

Dodridge was able to push aside his inexperience during his last outing.

“I knew I had to keep the ball down and that would get a lot of ground balls,” he said of his approach. “And I did.”

He goes for his third win today as the team’s midweek starter.

For Howard and Cooper, their paths crossed as each worked for the same rotation spot.

As Howard was recovering from a sore shoulder in the fall, Cooper was named the team’s third weekend starter.

Cooper allowed 10 runs in 2 2/3 innings in CMU’s first conference series against Ohio. He has not started a game since the loss.

“It was purely a performance thing,” Jaksa said. “I thought Cooper would bear better when relieving.”

Howard replaced Cooper as the third weekend starter in time for the series finale against Buffalo on March 28.

He lasted six innings, giving up three runs on just three hits and struck out six. He threw well but earned a no-decision after the Chippewas were held scoreless.

Ironically, Cooper earned the win. He blanked Buffalo in two innings of relief after Central scored seven in the eighth inning.

Howard is 1-1 in two starts since the Buffalo game, recently allowing five hits and two runs in five innings Sunday against Miami.

In four bullpen appearances, Cooper has allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings and earned two wins.

“There’s a comfort with him coming in in different situations,” Jaksa said. “He’s coming in with the game on the line or else he wouldn’t have those wins.”

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The Chippewas took the early lead, scoring four in the second and adding another in the third. Dodridge held the Wolverines scoreless until the seventh, where Central already led 10-0.

“I came into today knowing it was going to be rough,” Dodridge said. “But I started hitting spots and I kept the ball low and got a lot of ground balls.”

Jaksa credited team defense and pitching with stifling Michigan’s offense.

“The whole team – all the time – kept them at bay,” he said. “They were never really able to make a run at it.”

Sophomore right fielder Matt Faiman led Central’s offense with three hits, two RBIs and a run.

Shortstop Robbie Harman and center fielder Rod Helsen finished with two hits and an RBI each.

CMU plays its first conference series on the road starting at 6 p.m. in Oxford, Ohio, against Miami University.

Game two is set for 6 p.m. Saturday and the series finale is at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Central went 1-2 against Bowling Green last weekend in its last Mid-American Conference series, but head coach Steve Jaksa said a the team gained a lot of momentum in its win against Michigan.

“This helps the program with a ‘W’ today and it’ll give us some momentum going into the weekend,” he said. “Hopefully it’ll bring a consistency factor.”

Jaksa said it was the team’s play in the three main facets – pitching, fielding and hitting – that led to the win.

“If you show that you can get all three of them, it shows the kind of team we can be,” he said.

Weekend outlook

Miami (14-13 overall, 5-4 MAC) has not played since its Saturday doubleheader after canceling its Wednesday game against Indiana State.

The RedHawks likely will start with left-hander Matt Erwood on the mound.

In his last outing against Western Michigan a week ago, he lasted eight innings and gave up one run on six hits in MU’s 9-1 win.

Miami went on to win the series 2-1.

Left-hander Tyler Melling will get the start on Saturday and right-hander Reece Asbury will throw the third game on Sunday.

Central (14-17, 4-5 MAC) will counter with its three-man weekend rotation of senior left-hander Steve Teno on Friday and senior right-hander Dan Taylor on Saturday. Freshman left-hander Trent Howard will get the call on Sunday, his third start since joining the weekend rotation.

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The freshman left-hander scattered five hits and allowed just two unearned runs.

The offense went up 1-0 in the first and held the lead all game, collecting 12 hits.

Central was swept in a doubleheader on Saturday.

“You look at it and we lost two of three, but I though we played better than that,” said coach Steve Jaksa. “I was really pleased with the way our guys fought back today, down 2-0 in the series. It was pitching today that really set the tone.”

The offense took a 2-0 lead into the fourth and added three more runs on two hits, highlighted by junior left fielder Tyler Kipke’s RBI double to left, scoring sophomore center fielder Rod Helsen.

The Chippewas added two more in the fifth on their way to a 9-2 lead.

“Our biggest thing (in the past few games) is we’ve been scoring our runs later in the game,” said junior center fielder Billy Anderson, who finished 3-for-5 with three runs and two doubles. “We tried to win every inning and we did a good job of that today.”

Poor weather forced the teams to play a doubleheader on Saturday, which turned into two wins for the Redhawks.

Senior left-hander Steve Teno lasted into the ninth inning in the day’s opener with a 5-4 lead. But Miami’s Jon Edgington led off with a triple and eventually scored to force extra innings.

Edgington scored in the 13th inning after getting hit by a pitch to give MU a 6-5 win.

Senior right-hander Chris Kupilas came in to relieve Teno and took the loss.

In the second game, Miami’s starter Tyler Melling lasted 7 1/3 innings and allowed just three hits and one run to the Chippewas, which were defeated 4-1.

Senior right-hander Dan Taylor threw the entire game, going eight innings, and allowed nine hits and four earned runs.

“They (Teno and Taylor) did a nice job for us,” Jaksa said. “We’ve got five weekends left and that’s the type of consistency we need down the stretch – it’s good to see them both pitch well.”

The team returns to the road for a Wednesday 5 p.m. CST start against the University of Illinois-Chicago.

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