Baseball heads to Western Kentucky after canceled Thursday game at Murray State
Western Kentucky doesn’t have a win yet this season, and the Central Michigan baseball team would like to keep it that way.
After its Thursday game against Murray State was canceled because of weather, CMU remains 1-3 and looks to keep improving.
“There was a little bit of snow and rain at Murray State, and the conditions weren’t conducive to playing unfortunately,” head coach Steve Jaksa said. “We got to take a rest, and now we’re staying optimistic, and we’ll get a practice in at Western Kentucky’s field. We’ll be ready to go.”
The Hilltoppers are 0-3 after last weekend’s series opener against Bowling Green. The series starts at 4 p.m. Friday.
Jaksa said he prefers to worry about his own lineup more than the opponent’s.
“It’s more important to make sure our team is ready than making adjustments based on the other team’s lineup,” Jaksa said.
They are expected to start left-handed pitcher Tim Brado today in the first game of the three-game series. The Chippewas will have sophomore Jordan Foley on the mound first, followed by senior Patrick Kaminska in game three and senior Rick Dodridge starting in the series finale.
Sophomore Dylan Rheault was supposed to start the game against Murray State.
Jaksa said the cancellation will not alter the original rotation, and Rheault will go back to the bullpen.
With a .364 average, senior Ryan Huck leads WKU at the plate. He had two doubles and three RBI in the series against Bowling Green.
Another power hitter for the Hilltoppers is junior Scott Wilcox, who recorded four hits and two RBI last weekend.
CMU has senior Jordan Adams, sophomore Nick Regnier and freshman Neal Jacobs making big contributions in the batter’s box.
Regnier hit two home runs and recorded five RBI in the season opener, while Adams also had a home run and three RBI.
And though it’s always nice to play at home, Jaksa said playing away shouldn’t ever put them at a disadvantage.
“We just have to be in the position that (their) last bat don’t mean enough to them,” Jaksa said. “We have to do our job before the last inning.”
Weather in Bowling Green, Ky., doesn't look like it will cause any problems this weekend.
Friday through Sunday all look sunny with highs of 63, 50 and 54.
