CMU baseball takes series against Bowling Green in offensive explosion
The Chippewas don't take their foot off the gas against their conference opponent
Central Michigan University redshirt junior infielder/outfielder Bryson Webb puts his hands up as the Chippewas make a catch during the baseball game at Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium on Friday, April 3, 2026. (CM-Life | Jasmine Brookins)
The runs only kept coming for Central Michigan's baseball team, with no signs of slowing down.
In the rubber match against Bowling Green, CMU took every opportunity to add to the box score, and by the final out they emerged victorious in a dominant 21-13 ballgame.
The Chippewas had an offensive awakening to will themselves to an in-conference series victory, scoring a combined 29 runs, 34 hits, and six home runs over the entire weekend.
Game One
CMU pitcher Cameron Niehaus loaded the bases by hitting three batters with pitches in the bottom of the eighth. This set the stage for Bowling Green to answer, hitting a two-run double to take the lead and eventually winning 5-4 in the series opener.
The Chippewas didn’t go down without a fight. A solo home run by outfielder Joey Milto gave them a lead of their own in the eighth.
In the ninth, shortstop Drew Loikits challenged the Falcons by working his way to third base. Loikits had two hits in his three at-bats on the day.
Seven total hits kept Central Michigan in the game, yet a strikeout on a 2-2 count sealed the fate of their first outing against BGSU.
Game Two
It was a much more satisfying day for the Chippewas, who won the second game against Bowling Green 5-0, their first shutout since April 27, 2025 against Ball State.
This was among the most encouraging performances for CMU’s bullpen this season, finishing the day with eight strikeouts on three hits. Starting pitcher Hayden Bailey accounted for six of these in his six innings atop the mound.
A three-run third inning was highlighted by a home run by Harrison Bowman, blasting it over the left field fence for 2 RBIs.
It continued to be smooth sailing for the Chippewas, who tacked on two more runs in the sixth and seventh innings. With the Falcons’ offense struggling to operate, Central Michigan walked away with a comfortable victory.
Game Three
A phenomenal performance by Central Michigan’s batters concluded the series on a high note, with the Chippewas winning the final battle against BGSU in an incredibly high-scoring 21-13 showdown.
In a statement win for the Chippewas' offense, the team recorded 22 hits and 19 RBIs, both season highs in 2026.
Third baseman Bryson Webb tied a CMU program record, hitting four doubles during the afternoon along with four runs of his own. Webb leads the team with a .323 batting average this season.
Home runs came early and often for the Chippewas, pushing them even further ahead of Bowling Green. Zach Knowlton homered twice and finished the day with 5 RBIs, while Brady Krcziok hit a grand slam in the top of the eighth to snag a 16-10 lead.
Although the offense overshadowed many of the negatives, pitching had its struggles as the game progressed. The four pitchers for the Chippewas allowed fourteen hits, four of these being home runs.
With Central Michigan taking the series victory, the team now climbs to 13-18 overall on the season and 7-11 in the Mid-American Conference. CMU sits at eighth in the MAC, five games back of being in the picture for the conference tournament, with just under five weeks to play.
The Chippewas will now prepare for a long week at home, starting with a pair of non-conference matchups. They will face Milwaukee on Monday at 3 p.m., before taking on Youngstown State on Wednesday at 3 p.m as well.
