CMU baseball beats Youngstown State by walk off mercy rule
Central Michigan University redshirt junior infielder/outfielder Bryson Webb hits a home run during the baseball game at Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Webb scored four runs on three hits. (CM-Life | Jasmine Brookins)
It was all smiles for those in maroon and gold, as Central Michigan thundered ahead to a big lead and ended it in the eighth inning on a game-ending double from first baseman Nate Ball to win 12-2.
The Chippewas faced Youngstown State, which entered at 5-29 and left Theunissen Stadium at 5-30.
It was an overall team effort from the CMU offense. The squad totaled 15 hits, while 11 different players recorded at least one.
Central Michigan batters had an offensive surge in the bottom of the first inning. They collected six hits and scored four runs off Penguins starter Lane Rhodes.
Third baseman Bryson Webb led off the game with a single that jump-started a four-run first inning rally, and led the team with three hits, including a two-run home run in the third inning.
“Webb’s a catalyst, and he can do so many things,” head coach Jake Sabol said. “He can run, he can bunt, he can hit for power, as you saw today. He’s just that guy. He sets the tone for the rest of the lineup.”
The two hitters behind Webb in the lineup also produced. Right fielder Harrison Bowman and left fielder Cole Prout both had two hits and two RBIs apiece.
When Webb, Bowman and Prout are producing, the offense follows. In the Chippewas’ last game against Milwaukee, the trio combined for just one hit and one RBI, making this performance a key rebound before a series against Ohio.
“When Webb’s going, and Harrison’s going and Prout too, usually, we’re in a pretty good spot,” Sabol said.
Jack Griffiths took the mound for the Chippewas and ran into early trouble, quickly walking two batters and earning a visit from Sabol. After the mound visit, Griffiths shored up with a strikeout and two routine popouts.
The mound visit proved effective, as the only run Griffiths allowed was a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning. It was hit by shortstop Misael Uriepero to center field, and first baseman Ryan Schummer scurried home to score.
Griffiths ended up pitching six innings, giving up only two hits and one run, while striking out seven. It wasn’t perfect, though, as he still walked six Youngstown State hitters.
“Look at the stat line, still a bunch of free ones, but he was able to pitch out of it a little bit for a guy who doesn’t have a ton of innings," Sabol said. "I think if you told us at the end of the game he’d go six innings with one run, we’re taking that ten times out of ten. We needed some length out of a guy right there, so yeah, it was good. I’m happy for Jack.”
Mitchell Tarnowski worked a clean seventh inning with two strikeouts, and Jake Brown gave up a run via a wild pitch in the eighth. Overall, the pitching staff only allowed three hits.
The Chippewas’ upcoming series at home against Ohio University is a good opportunity to move up in the Mid-American Conference standings, as they currently sit in eighth.
“We've got to be prepared. We've got to be ready to go,” Sabol said. “I know the guys are looking to build off what we did against Western and Bowling Green and play well this weekend."
CMU will host Ohio for a three-game series at Theunissen Stadium this weekend.
