Baseball ends midweek struggle with offensive outburst
Midweek games have given the Central Michigan baseball team fits this season.
The Chippewas (16-21, 6-6 MAC) put an end to a three-game midweek losing streak by beating Oakland in the second game of the two game season series 15-4 Tuesday at Theunissen Stadium.
“Anytime you can get a W it's good especially coming off a really tough loss on Sunday,” head coach Steve Jaksa said. “We talked about playing with good intensity, and sure you want to get a win but don’t win unless you play hard. And I thought we had a good attitude too.”
The CMU bats were on display scoring 15 runs on 12 hits, including a three-run home run by redshirt freshman catcher Tyler Huntey in the sixth inning. He had four RBIs on the day, the home run was the first of his career.
“I felt like a relief to know that I can do it — that I can hit the ball out,” Huntey said.
Senior designated hitter Nate Theunissen continued swinging a hot bat with a double and four RBIs.
“Our bats have been hot for a while, but today we had timely hitting,” Huntey said.
The Chippewas faced some adversity in the sixth inning when starter, freshman Jordan Foley, came out of the game with the bases loaded after throwing 5 1/3 innings and striking out four.
Freshman pitcher Sean Renzi entered the game and struck out one batter and got another to ground out to senior third baseman Tyler Hall to end the inning.
“(Renzi) getting better, coach Opalewski has done a nice job with him,” Jaksa said. “He’s getting better and more confident.”
CMU hosts in-state Michigan State (23-12, 5-4 Big Ten) today, and will host a three-game series with Mid-American Conference three-time defending tournamentcChampions Kent State (20-15, 10-2 MAC).
“It’s good to get off on a good start and get the bats going especially,” Huntey said.
