Central Michigan baseball takes momentum into three-game series at Akron
The CMU baseball team has won four out of its last five games and shows no signs of slowing up.
At 3 p.m. today in Akron, Ohio, the Chippewas will take on the Zips in the first game of a three-game Mid-American Conference series. The Chippewas (13-17 overall, 2-4 MAC) were swept in their first MAC series, but took two out of three last weekend at Ohio.
“We really have started hitting and pitching the ball well and we really can’t complain too much about what we are doing,” said junior left-hander Trent Howard. “We have got to find ways to win those close games and that is what we did last weekend.”
CMU has had 13 games decided by two runs or less so far this season. Finding a way to win close games not only helps a team find its identity, but helps them go through adversity which can make a team stronger.
Akron (6-20 overall, 0-6 MAC) has lost three out of its last four games and has had a rough start in conference play after being swept last weekend by the Toledo Rockets.
The Zips are led by Drew Turocy, who has started every game this season and has a team-leading .385 batting average. Turocy also leads Akron with 40 hits on the season, with the next person coming in with 19 hits.
With the season at the halfway point of the season, CMU head coach Steve Jaksa said he likes where his team is at.
“I told our guys when you play half a season you start to carry some baggage after a while because the game is an everyday thing,” Jaksa said. “Everybody is better than what we were at the beginning of the season and we have to stay positive.”
U-M win
On Wednesday at Theunissen Stadium, the Chippewas took on the Michigan Wolverines in a non-conference midweek contest.
A two-run double from sophomore Jordan Dean in the third inning helped break a 3-3 tie, as the Chippewas went on to win the game 9-4. CMU is now 4-0 against Big Ten teams this season and Dean said the team is confident regardless of their opponent.
“We are a confident group. We always play teams tough regardless whether it’s the Big Ten, Big 12, or other MAC schools,” Dean said. “When we come out and play like we have been it just shows what we are capable of.”
Senior Bryce Morrow (1-3) gave up one run in his three innings of relief to pick up his first win of the season. Sophomore pitcher Dietrich Enns pitched some of his best baseball of the season, striking out five batters in three perfect innings to pick up his second save of the season.
