Baseball readies for U-M after Tuesday home game canceled
The location and time of today's baseball game against Michigan is in question.
The game, originally scheduled for a 6 p.m. start in Ann Arbor, may move to Mount Pleasant. However, the teams may opt to move the game to Theunissen stadium in Mount Pleasant at 4 p.m. because a snowstorm deposited more than five inches of snow in Ann Arbor on Monday.
"Obviously we want to play in front of our fans. They give us an advantage," said junior pitcher Jesse Hernandez. "But, we are not really hoping for one way or another. We are just looking forward to playing ball."
The Chippewas defeated Michigan last season in a 7-3 upset at Theunissen Stadium. The Wolverines came into the game ranked No. 22 in the nation. The team was also on a six-game winning streak before making the trip to Mount Pleasant.
Senior pitcher Steve Teno got the start in the game, but senior Chris Kupillas pitched six innings and allowed no earned runs.
"We know we can win," said coach Steve Jaksa. "So, now we just want to do it again. What happened last year really doesn't matter any more. The only game that matters is your next one."
CMU has seen some changes to its roster since last season's meeting with Michigan. Five of the starters from that game are no longer on the team this year.
Coach Jaksa said the younger guys on the team will be excited to compete against the school's rival for the first time.
"There is always going to be a natural rivalry when you play these in-state team," Jaksa said. "But with Michigan and Michigan State, those guys are not in our conference. We usually get only one shot to play them a year. Anytime you only play somebody once, then you have to sit on that win or loss for the rest of the year."
Both teams are coming off a losing series. CMU dropped two games in a series against Bowling Green. Michigan lost two games to Big Ten-rival Penn State.
Central's Tuesday game against the University of Illinois-Chicago postponed. The game has yet to be rescheduled.
"When you play baseball, you are going to lose a game to weather," Jaksa said. "You roll with the punches. We don't really want to have a long layoff, but we do what we got to do."
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