Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Minnesota
Chippewas Fall in 10 Innings, 5-4
3/24/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 24, 2002
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The University of Minnesota scored a run in the bottom of the 10th on a bases-loaded walk to capture a 5-4 win over Central Michigan University.
The Gophers are now 8-11 for the season and won the series over the Chippewas, 3-1. Central falls to 10-6.
In the decisive 10th inning, Minnesota took advantage of four walks - two from loser Lee Naplin and two from reliever Travis Osborn including the final one to Rob LaRue on a 3-2 count.
CMU pitchers walked 10 batters and hit two more. Minnesota stranded 20 runners.
For the second straight game, the Chippewas spotted Minnesota a 3-0 lead in the first inning with starter Jeff Opalewski hurting his own cause. He walked the leadoff batter, had an error, hit another, threw a wild pitch and gave up three hits. Two of the runs were earned.
CMU got one back in the top of the third when Tim Bullinger reached second on an outfield error and scored on a single to right by Tommy Grubb.
Opalewski continued pitching until the fifth when he was relieved by Gavin Gillette after a double and a walk. Gillette closed the inning with no runs scoring. Minnesota stranded 10 runners in the first five frames.
Central chased Gopher starter Reid Mahon with three runs in the sixth. Jim Geldhof knocked in one with a groundout while Mike Gates tied it with a single to center and Tim Groves put the Chippewas on top, 4-3, with a sacrifice fly to center.
Minnesota tied it with a run in the eighth off reliever Nick Zastrow. The Chippewas had a chance to turn a doubleplay but couldn't do it as the tying run crossed the plate.
The Chippewas return to action on Friday, March 29m with a Mid-American Conference (MAC) home game in the new Theunissen Stadium. Game time is 2 p.m.
