Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Hope For Better Weather
4/7/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Weather was the big winner last week.
The Central Michigan University baseball team had its four-game weekend set with Mid-American Conference foe Kent State University cancelled because of snow, ice, and cold temperatures.
Chippewa coach Steve Jaksa is hoping that weather will not dictate the action early in this week, too.
"We need a break from the next storm so that we can get the tarp off the field and try to play some games this week," Jaksa said. "I think we're making progress but this team has to play."
The Chippewas enter the week's play with a record of 8-14 and a MAC mark of 1-3.
CMU has five single, nine-inning games on the agenda for this week -- four at Theunissen Stadium. First up is a Tuesday game at Detroit (3 p.m.) followed by home games on Wednesday against Chicago State (3 p.m.) and Thursday with IPFW (3 p.m.).
The Chippewas hope to launch the home portion of the MAC schedule on Saturday with a game against Bowling Green State University at 3 p.m. CMU's "Honorary Fan of the Year," Bob Banta, will throw out the first pitch. Another single game with BGSU is slated for Sunday.
The Falcons are the defending MAC regular-season champion after going 18-7 in loop play. They are 8-11 overall and 3-3 in conference play this season.
"Bowling Green has many of the same players back who led that team to the regular-season title," Jaksa said. "It has some great hitters and proven pitchers so nothing will be easy for our team. But, it's at home and we've got to get ready to go."
CMU did play three non-league games last week, splitting a twinbill with Wayne State (winning 1-0 and losing 8-7) and defeating Saginaw Valley (8-4).
"This team is a work in progress," Jaksa said. "I'm sure it can be somewhat frustrating for everyone involved but the big thing now is to get out and play.
"We made just one error in the three games we played last week, and I thought our pitching was better."
The CMU baseball team worked on the field on Sunday trying to get the frozen tarp off the infield. Warm temperatures are needed to get the snow and ice off the outfield, as well.
Week ReviewCMU 1, Wayne State 0
Three Chippewa hurlers combined on a five-hit shutout. Joey Fahndrich went the first two innings, Nick Patterson the next three and two-third to pick up the win, and David LeMieux the final one and one third for the save. Tommy Grubb had two hits and drove in the lone run.
Wayne State 8, CMU 7The Warriors scored four times in the sixth inning to claim an 8-7 win. Adam Sutherland was the losing hurler in relief. Mike Gates drove in two runs with a double while David Latour Jr., had two hits. Jason Gotwalt made his first career hit a memorable one with a solo homer.
CMU 8, Saginaw Valley 4Ryan Cremeans went seven and one-third innings for his first win of the season. He allowed five hits, three runs (two earned), walked two, and struck out 12. LeMieux went the final one and one-third innings for the save. Jim Geldhof and Gates had two hits and two RBI apiece while Ryan Krueger and Grubb also had two hits apiece.
Pitching RotationCMU will likely go with lefty Joey Fahndrich (0-3, 7.46), and righty David LeMieux (2-0, 2.96) against Bowling Green. Right-hander Ty Dunham (2-1, 7.15) will likely get one of the midweek starts as could right-hander Jeff Opalewski (0-2, 10.03) and lefty Ryan Cremeans (1-3, 9.64).
Grubb Keeps HittingSenior Tommy Grubb went four-for-eight with two RBI last week to raise his team-leading batting average to .366. He's now 13 for his last 24. He also leads CMU in slugging percentage (.463) and on-base percentage (.458), and his 15 RBI are tied for first with Mike Gates.
Chippewa WorkhorseJunior right-hander David LeMieux has become the workhorse of the CMU pitching staff. He's pitched in a team-high 10 games and has a 2-0 record with a 2.96 ERA in 24.1 innings. He also has three saves and has fanned 28 batters.
Training Room *Senior right-handed pitcher Jeff Garner (1-0, 1.29) is out for the season with an elbow injury. *Freshman Bryan Mitzel (.333, 1, 3) is out for the season with a knee injury. *Sophomore catcher Keith Sampsell has missed 17 games with a thumb injury. He will miss another week or two. *Senior utility player Tim Groves has missed 16 games with back spasms. He won't play this week.Youthful Chippewas
Injuries have given the opportunity to a number of young players this season. True freshman Chase Welker has established himself at shortstop where he has fielded a solid .966 with just three errors in 22 games. Redshirt freshmen Brian Lautzenheiser and Brian Campbell are now starters in left field and at catcher. Sophomores Jeff LaFavors and David Latour Jr. , have been regulars at third and second while a pair of true freshman are also seeing time in outfielder J.T. Jones and third baseman Jason Gotwalt. Another true freshman, Bryan Mitzel, got off to an excellent start with a three-run homer in his second collegiate at-bat before injuring a knee and being lost for the season. Redshirt freshmen Ty Dunham (starter) and Mark Lundquist (relief) have been solid on the mound.
Central Michigan Probable Starters
Pos. Name BA HR RBI1B Mike Gates (Flushing/Sr.) .228 0 152B David Latour (Barrie, Ont./So.) .297 1 123B Jeff LaFavors Jr. (Detroit/So.) .243 1 9SS Chase Welker (Maumee, Ohio/Fr.) .173 1 7LF Brian Lautzenheiser (Charlotte/Fr.) .267 1 5CF Tommy Grubb (Wheatley, Ont./Sr.) .366 1 15RF Ryan Krueger (Alpena/Sr.) .308 1 6C Brian Campbell (Livonia/Fr.) .321 0 9DH Jim Geldhof (Troy/So.) .246 0 13Starting Pitchers Record ERALHP Joey Fahndrich (Saginaw/Sr.) 0-3 7.46RHP David LeMieux (Muskegon/Jr.) 2-0 2.96RHP Jeff Opalewski (Saginaw/Jr.) 0-2 10.03RHP Ty Dunham (Bay City/Fr.) 2-1 7.15LHP Ryan Cremeans (Adrian/Jr.) 1-3 9.64Reserve Pitchers Record ERALHP T.J. Johnson (Byron/Jr.) 1-3 9.16RHP Mark Lundquist (West Bloomfield/Fr.) 0-0 2.87RHP Nick Patterson (Saginaw/So.) 1-0 8.10RHP Chris Schell (Mt. Pleasant/So.) 0-1 22.24LHP Adam Sutherland (Bad Axe/Jr.) 0-1 8.31Reserve Position Players3B Jason Gotwalt (Mississauga, Ont./Fr.) .077 1 1OF Tim Groves (Clare/Sr.) .176 0 0OF Tom Grzywacz (Eastpointe/Jr.) .167 0 0C Evan Jackson (South Lyon/Fr.) .000 0 0OF J.T. Jones (Ithaca/Fr.) .133 0 2DH Dan Griesbaum (Grosse Pte./Jr.) .188 0 3C Derek Schaller (North Branch/So.) .143 0 0Coaching Staff Steve Jaksa, head coach Brian Kalczynski, assistant coach Matt McDonald, recruiting coordinator Jeff Siler, volunteer assistant Jeremy MacDonald, administrative assistant Lee Naplin, student coach Scott Pickens, student coach
