MSU hosts midweek matchup
Lynn Wloszek
CMU will face in-state foe Michigan State (11-24) at Lansing’s Olds Park at 7 p.m. today.
Head Coach Steve Jaksa thinks his team is in good shape and is gaining momentum from the confidence it is building.
“Preparation is key, so I think we’ll be all right. We do have the confidence that we’ve been looking for,” Jaksa said. “Confidence breeds confidence and that’s what we’re doing.”
The team is coming off three wins in four weekend games against Toledo and has won five of its last six games.
“We’ll be ready to play. The weather is supposed to be nice, so we’re looking forward to that,” Jaksa said. “We’re just going to play to win. That’s our goal –– to play hard and play with the same determination that we have lately.”
The Chippewas already have defeated MSU once this season, a 9-2 decision March 4 in Florida. Sophomore David Latour led the way for the team with three hits and three RBI in the North Florida Tournament game. Sophomore Jim Geldhof added two hits and three RBI.
Pitcher Jeff Garner surrendered two hits and struck out 14 in seven innings, leading to his naming of National Player of the Week. Because of an elbow injury, however, Garner is out for the season.
Michigan State is coming off a 5-2 loss to arch-rival Michigan during the weekend.
Brady Burrill leads the Spartan attack with a .364 batting average. Travis Gulick hits .348 and has 33 runs, five home runs and 26 RBI.
Bryan Gale (5-4) has a 2.98 ERA in nine starts.
With wins tonight and Friday against Western, CMU could reach the .500 mark overall this season, a mark for which the team has strived.
The offense has started to heat up, as the Chippewas scored 43 runs in the four-game set with the Rockets.
Senior outfielder Tommy Grubb leads the way, hitting .359 with 25 RBI. Senior outfielder Ryan Krueger leads the team with 30 runs to go along with a .313 average, while sophomore Jim Geldhof bats .308 with 24 RBI.
Senior first baseman Mike Gates, the MAC career walks leader, has battled through an early-season slump, and has raised his average to .270. Gates also has driven in 27 and has 24 walks.
Junior pitcher David LeMieux (3-0) posts a 2.97 ERA in 17 apperances.
Freshman Mark Lundquist (3-0) also has enjoyed success with a 3.80 ERA.
