Superb pitching seals series sweep for CMU
A lack of offense was made up for with superb pitching.
Though Central Michigan was held in check while at-bat, the duo of Garrett Navarra and Grant Frazer suffocated the Miami (Ohio) offense. The RedHawks totaled just three hits and the Chippewas walked none.
The performances on the mound amounted to a 3-1 CMU (28-11, 20-4) victory, sealing a Mid-American Conference series sweep of Miami (19-19, 12-12) Sunday afternoon at Theunissen Stadium.
Key moments
CMU was once again sparked by Navarra, who singled to open the second inning and scored the Chippewas' first run on a walk from Justin Simpson. Jakob Marsee scored later in the inning when Mario Camilletti was hit by a pitch.
Navarra was also excellent on the mound in his fourth start of the season, facing 13 batters through four innings, striking out six while allowing one hit. Nate Stone had Miami's lone hit off Navarra, doubling in the first.
"Probably his best start to date," coach Jordan Bischel said. "He's been pretty darn good for us all year."
Logan Buczkowski relieved Navarra in the top of the fifth but left after just two batters, both of whom were hit by a pitch. Buczkowski was looked at by the Chippewa training staff and left the game, replaced by Frazer.
"We're hopeful it's nothing major," Bischel said of Buczkowski. "(He) just didn't quite feel right is how I'll leave it."
The Chippewas were mostly held in check by Miami starter Tyler Bosma, who struck out six while allowing four hits and walking three. Simpson drove in another run with a single in the fourth, but any thoughts of a rally were halted when Bosma struck out Camilletti and Heeke to end the inning.
Frazer worked five innings to complete the win. In a career long performance, Frazer struck out four and allowed two hits. Miami got a good performance from its only reliever, Kenten Egbert. In three innings of relief, Egbert allowed just one hit and two walks.
Key performers
Simpson led the Chippewas with two RBI. Marsee reached base three times and scored two runs.
Up next
CMU welcomes in Ball State for a four game series at Theunissen Stadium. As of publishing, the two teams are tied for first place in the MAC.
