Baseball ends losing streak with win over Northwood
After dropping its last two games, the Central Michigan baseball team got back on track Tuesday with a 4-3 win against Northwood University at Theunissen Stadium.
The Chippewas (9-12) played their final non-conference game in front of 537 fans before starting Mid-American Conference play Friday. CMU also welcomed back senior Tyler Hall, who has been out with an injury.
“It felt good (getting back in the lineup). I got that first hit out of the way, and I felt comfortable,” Hall said after going 1-for-4 at the plate. “It’ll be slow process getting back into the grove, but I’m looking forward to it.”
CMU saw its offensive outburst from the weekend continue in the first inning when it plated four runs behind a two-run RBI single from senior leftfielder Sam Russell and sacrifice RBI from junior designated hitter Jordan Adams.
The team also scored when Northwood catcher Ryan Palmer failed to touch the plate with the bases loaded after senior first baseman Nate Theunissen’s swinging bunt was fielded by the pitcher.
“It won the game for us it was the only four runs we scored,” head coach Steve Jaksa said. “We did jump on them early, but three of our five hits came in the first inning. I thought we had a few good at-bats and didn’t get anything for it, but that is going to happen in the game of baseball.”
Freshman pitcher Matt Trowbridge remained unbeaten on the season by going five-plus innings, allowing one runs and just two hits with six strikeouts, improving his record to 3-0.
“(Trowbridge) was effectively wild, you could say; he had some really good stuff,” Jaksa said. “When he had command, they only got one hit. He can battle, and he’ll get better under Jeff (Opalewski) tutelage.”
Senior pitcher Ryan Longstreth saved Trowbridge and his team in the sixth after the freshman exited with the bases loaded and nobody out. Longstreth forced a double-play and grounder to first base to get out of the inning only allowing one run.
“We had planned to use (Longstreth) today, and we were pleased,” Jaksa said. “He’s a senior, and I think he understands the importance of each game.”
The Chippewas bats did quiet down a bit after the first, as they failed to score another run the rest of the game, but strong fielding helped them maintain the lead and take the win.
“With the bases loaded in the second inning, (senior third baseman Eric Wrozek) made a great play,” Jaksa said. “That was a key play with two outs and bases loaded. We talk about two out hits all the time, and at the end day, we win 4-3.”
CMU will be back home Friday at 3:05 p.m. as it opens up MAC play against Buffalo (6-9).
“Our main focus right now is the MAC Tournament and winning the games up to that,” Hall said. “Once we get there, our main focus will be winning that.”
