Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Shut Out at Michigan, 7-0
4/3/2013 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Central Michigan was unable to come up with key hits at key moments Wednesday afternoon, falling to in-state foe Michigan at Fisher Stadium, 7-0.
The Chippewas (11-16) dropped their second-straight contest as they stranded nine runners on base and batted just 2-for-13 with runners on in being shutout for the third time this season.
Freshman starter Jimmy McNamara retired the first two Wolverines (13-14) of the contest before giving up a single to Michael O'Neill and a RBI triple to Zach Zott to fall behind in the bottom of the first, 1-0.
The Wolverines added a run in the second on a sacrifice fly by Cole Martin and scored another run in the fourth on another sacrifice fly by Brett Winger.
CMU looked to have a one-out rally brewing in the top of the fifth when sophomores Pat MacKenzie and Nick Regnier roped back-to-back singles, but junior Noel Santos hit into a inning-ending double play.
The Maize and Blue padded their lead in the bottom of the frame on a sacrifice fly by O'Neill that was set up on on back-to-back singles by Traveis Maezes and Jacob Croneworth before going ahead 6-0 when Croneworth stole third and scored on a throwing error by sophomore Tyler Huntey.
Freshman Zack Fields recorded his team-high ninth double of the season with one out in the top of the sixth, but was caught too far off second on a grounder by Neal Jacobs that led to him being tagged out.
Michigan eventuall capped the afternoon's scoring in the bottom of the seventh on a RBI groundout by Jack Sexton for the final 7-0 tally.
Regnier led the Chippewas with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate, while five other Chippewas each had a hit apiece. McNamara suffered the loss, tossing four innings and giving up three runs - two earned - on five hits and a pair of walks.
CMU returns to action this weekend for a three-game Mid-American Conference series versus West Division foe Northern Illinois. First pitch is set for 3:05 p.m. Friday afternoon at Theunissen Stadium.
