Central Michigan University
Stetson
Chippewas Fall In Stetson Inv. Finale
3/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
DeLAND, Fla. - Stetson took advantage of four walks and an infield hit to score two runs in the eighth inning Sunday in handing the Central Michigan baseball team a 4-3 loss in the Chippewas' third and final game in the Westin Lake Mary Invitational at the Hatters' Melching Field.
The loss completed completed the first leg of CMU's Spring Break trip. The Chippewas (1-9) are off on Monday and will play the first of five games in the Snowbird Baseball Classic in Port Charlotte on Tuesday against Boston College.
Three Chippewa relievers couldn't hold the fort in the eighth against the Hatters (6-6), who managed just four hits on the day.
Three consecutive walks loaded the bases and, with two out, Cory Reid's infield single brought in a run to tie the game, 3-3. Another walk forced in the go-ahead run.
"It makes for a tough ending in an otherwise really well-played game," said CMU coach Steve Jaksa, whose team won its first game of the season on Saturday. "I thought we came back after yesterday's win and played well.
"It was a heck of a ball game. We came up on the short end.
We played well, we had good energy, and we've just got to hang in, move forward."
Red-shirt freshman Pat Leatherman started for CMU and allowed two runs on three hits while striking out four over six innings.
"Leatherman threw a great game," Jaksa said. "He pitched his tail off today. Really competed. Pitched six great innings."
Jimmy McNamara, Dazon Cole and Jordan Grosjean worked in relief for the Chippewas, who did not commit an error for the second time in three games.
"I think we're finding a little more consistency (defensively)," Jaksa said, adding that third baseman Morgan Oliver and catcher Blake Cleveland played well, and Daniel Jipping made a highlight reel sliding catch in left field. "From a defensive standpoint I think there were some positives there.
"We're closer than further away from where we want to be. We're still not hitting on cylinders all the time, but I told the guys, we're going to get better as we move forward and I think we will."
Zach McKinstry, Cole and Daniel Robinson had two hits apiece to lead CMU at the plate. Cole and Robinson each drove in a run.
Freshman left-hander Grant Wolfram will start for the Chippewas on Tuesday against Boston College. Senior right-hander Jason Gamble will start Wednesday against Butler.
