CMU ready for clash with Michigan State at Comerica Park
For the first time since Comerica Park opened in summer 2000, downtown Detroit will host a college baseball game.
At 6:35 p.m. today the CMU baseball team will face the Michigan State Spartans at Comerica Park in what will be the second meeting of the season for the two teams.
In the first meeting on Mar. 30, CMU won 3-1, ruining the Spartans' opening day in East Lansing.
“I don’t want our guys to play any different. This will be good for the guys and good for guys were are recruiting,” said head coach Steve Jaksa. “This will be something where the guys can say they did something that no one else has before and I kind of like that.”
Senior Bryce Morrow will be on the mound for the Chippewas, looking for his first win of the season. Morrow holds a 0-3 record with a 6.11 ERA and has struck out 17 batters in 35 1/3 innings pitched.
The Chippewas (18-18 overall, 7-5 Mid-American Conference) are coming off of a huge weekend series win over first place Kent State. Morrow said that he is just excited about the opportunity to pitch in a big league park.
“This is another game that we have to go win and I am just trying to go out there and do my job and throw strikes,” Morrow said. “Our pitching staff is throwing the ball well and we are hitting the ball well too we are really coming around. I like our chances.”
CMU has won nine of its last 11 games and they have not been beaten by a Big Ten team this season. They are 4-0 against the league, with wins against Michigan, Indiana and Illinois.
MSU (22-10, 6-3 Big Ten) has lost three of its last four games and will be looking for a little redemption against the Chippewas.
The Spartans are led by Brandon Eckerle, who has a .430 batting average and leads his team in hits and stolen bases.
“I thought it was good that the Tigers saw this as a good opportunity for them too,” Jaksa said. “They get to showcase their park and bring in a Division 1 game between two teams that have been playing baseball against each other for over 100 years. At the end of the day it is going to be a lot of fun and a great atmosphere.”
Jaksa said he is making sure he is bringing everyone on the team to the game so they can be a part of the experience.
The Chippewas will be looking to continue their winning ways as they make a push to compete for another MAC regular season championship. League play resumes this weekend with a series against Ball State in Muncie, Ind., beginning at 3 p.m. Friday.
