Tyler Hankins, Ian Leatherman solid as Chippewas sweep Saint Peter's
Pitcher Tyler Hankins delivers a pitch against Missouri State on Mar. 24 at Theunissen Stadium.
Thirty-three total hits in two games against Saint Peter's helped the Central Michigan baseball team earn a series sweep of the Peacocks (0-8) in the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational at Osceola Heritage Park.
The Chippewas (10-3) have won three-straight games and 10 of their last 11.
Jordan Bischel's team picked up a 14-4 win against Saint Peter's on March 5 before adding a 21-2 victory against the Peacocks in the two-game series finale on March 6.
Game 1
Left-handed pitcher Tyler Hankins (2-0) went five innings for the Chippewas in a 14-4 victory on Tuesday, but it wouldn't have been possible without the bats from first baseman Zach Heeke, shortstop Zavier Warren, center fielder Zach Gilles, second baseman Jason Sullivan, right fielder Jacob Crum and designated hitter Bryan Jakiemiec.
All six players had a multiple-hit performance, while Gilles paced the way with four hits of his own. CMU picked up 13 free passes, including two each from Crum, Sullivan and catcher Blake Cleveland.
Sullivan was 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs. Jakiemiec also brought home three runs while Gilles and Warren each had one RBI.
Hankins, after allowing two earned runs, was relieved by freshmen left-handers Garrett Navarra and Ryan Palmblad, who each tossed two innings to finish out the game.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Blake Gonzalez dropped to 0-3 on the season with the loss.
Game 2
Freshman right-hander Ian Leatherman (1-0) was dominant in game two, firing four innings of scoreless baseball for his first career win.
His successes were backed by solid run support, which was the catalyst to a 21-2 victory over St. Peter's on Wednesday.
The Chippewas owned a 5-0 lead after the top of the third and extended it to 8-0 after the fourth frame.
Six more runs scored in the top of the fifth and CMU added five in the sixth before sophomore left-hander Brandon Reed took over on the bump.
Sophomore right-hander Logan Buczkowski allowed a run in the bottom of the eighth, allowing Saint Peter's to trim its deficit to 19-1. The Chippewas scored twice more in the top of the ninth and allowed their final run in the bottom half before slamming to door to put the finishing touches on a 19-run victory.
Up next
CMU gets an off day on Thursday before starting a three-game weekend series in Kissimmee, Florida. The Chippewas play Mount St. Mary's at 5:30 p.m. on Friday before taking on Villanova for two games on Saturday (5 p.m.) and Sunday (9:30 a.m.).
