CMU baseball finishes non-conference play with a win
The Chippewas defended home turf with a win against Oakland
Central Michigan sophomore outfielder Mikey Murphy runs through third base into home after a hit at Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium, Saturday, April 26, 2025. During the game, Murphy had one run, two hits and one RBI. (CMLife | Alivia Cranick)
Central Michigan baseball wrapped up its non-conference schedule with a game on Tuesday in Mount Pleasant against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies.
The teams faced off once earlier in the season in Oakland. The Golden Grizzlies took the first matchup in what was a close game that needed 11 innings to come to a conclusion.
The Chippewas found much more success in Tuesday’s game and finished non-conference play with a 14-9 victory.
Central Michigan launched itself into the lead with a quick start in the first inning. With the bases loaded, junior designated hitter Cole Prout hit a single to second base, allowing sophomore left fielder Mikey Murphy to score the first run.
On the next at-bat, still with the bases full, junior catcher Spencer Verburg was walked, scoring a second run. The Chippewas followed the walk with a single by senior third baseman Elijah Henning, adding two additional runs to their tally to cap off a four-run first.
Oakland responded with three runs on two hits to start the second. In the bottom of the third inning, Central Michigan scored two runs with another hit from Henning, this time a double.
The Chippewas continued to pile on the runs in the fourth. A flyout by junior first baseman Brady Krzciok scored a seventh run. Freshman shortstop Cayden Smith hit a triple into left-center field to score the eighth. On the next at-bat, Prout doubled down the right-field line, adding a ninth. Central Michigan scored a tenth run before the Golden Grizzlies collected the final out.
Just over halfway through the game, the Chippewas held a 10-3 lead over Oakland.
For the next several innings, the Golden Grizzlies began to chip away at the lead. Using a run scored in the fifth and an explosive five-run seventh inning, Oakland cut the deficit to just one by the seventh inning stretch with the score at 10-9.
Despite the pressure, Central Michigan would not allow the Golden Grizzlies to score again. In addition, the Chippewas scored four more of their own, cementing the victory.
Prout contributed three hits and five RBIs to the win. Smith had three hits and an RBI of his own, and Henning collected two hits and four RBIs.
With the win, the Chippewas are now ahead of Western Michigan in the Mid-American Conference standings but still one spot out of tournament contention.
Central Michigan will finish its regular season on the road in a series against Toledo that begins on Thursday.
