Central Michigan baseball fails to escape sweep against Northern Illinois
Difficult day for the Chippewas as pitching issues plague the afternoon
Central Michigan University redshirt freshman catcher Logan Keilen swings at a pitch during the baseball game at Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Keilen had three hits in the game. (CM-Life | Jasmine Brookins)
Another step back for the Central Michigan baseball team took place Sunday, falling 8-2 against Northern Illinois to suffer a series sweep.
Five total CMU pitchers allowed 13 hits, six walks and a home run, with issues atop the mound creating a negative impact all afternoon.
“We have a lot of the same stuff happening on the mound no matter who we run out there,” head coach Jake Sabol said. “Just lacking a little bit of competitiveness right now.”
Starting pitcher Gavin Moczydlowsky struggled for the Chippewas, with 10 in his five innings in the game. However, three strikeouts helped keep the Huskies in check earlier in the afternoon.
Offensively, Central Michigan struggled to find a rhythm despite recording seven hits. A two-run third inning was the only frame in which CMU managed to get on the board.
“We’ve been seeing so many lefties lately, and we have struggled against left-handed arms; it’s no secret,” Sabol said.
First baseman Spencer Verburg continued to build on his strong Saturday performance with two hits for one run, along with making several key plays on defense.
Catcher Logan Keilen also shone with three hits and an RBI.
“Logan’s in his first year playing, and he looks like an older guy,” Sabol said. “We think very highly of him. He’s going to be a really good player at some point for us.”
Another shuffling of the batting lineup gave designated hitter Rees Campanale his first start for the season. He recorded a ninth-inning single, the Chippewas’ last hit of the afternoon.
“Last year at NIU, Rees had the series of his life,” Sabol said. “This year, he was coming off a shoulder injury where he just was behind. … He’s been waiting and being a good teammate.”
Central Michigan is not out of the picture for the Mid-American Conference tournament just yet, even with a 9-17 conference record. The odds remain slim, but the Chippewas winning out, plus significant help from other teams in the conference, could open the door for a postseason appearance.
“We let the scoreboard dictate how we played this weekend, and that’s just unacceptable,” Sabol said. “That falls on me as the leader of the program. We’re going to take [Monday] off, and Tuesday, you might see some different things you haven’t seen all year.”
A non-conference opponent, Oakland, awaits CMU at Theunissen Stadium Tuesday. Then, Akron comes to Mount Pleasant Friday to open the final home MAC series of the season.
