Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
UCF
Chippewas Drop Twinbill To Close Spring Break Trip
3/11/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Eli Putnam's two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted Central Florida to a 5-4 victory over Central Michigan on Saturday in the nightcap of a nonconference doubleheader at the UCF Baseball Complex.
The win completed a doubleheader sweep for the Knights, who won the opener 7-3. It was also CMU's final game on its Spring Break trip. The Chippewas finished 2-6 in Florida and are scheduled to play host to Marygrove on Tuesday, March 14 (3:05 p.m.), in their home opener at Theunissen Stadium.
Four of CMU's six losses on the trip came by one run.
The Chippewas entered the ninth inning in Saturday's second game with a 4-3 lead, but trouble began with leadoff hitter Austin Murphy, who drew a fullcount walk. Murphy was bunted to second and Jordan Grosjean took over on the mound for Michael Brettell.
Grosjean hit Brooks Morgan with a pitch with the count full, then Matthew Mika's infield single loaded the bases for Putnam, who singled through the left side to end the game and send the Chippewas to their third-consecutive loss.
Grosjean (0-1) took the loss. CMU starter Tyler Hankins, a freshman left-hander, allowed three runs on four hits, walked two and struck out six over 7 1/3 innings. Brettell went one inning, surrendering one run.
Evan Kratt had two hits and two RBI for CMU, while Daniel Jipping doubled and drove in a run. Dazon Cole and Grant Frazer had the other RBI for the Chippewas (5-11).
Rylan Thomas (1-0) worked the ninth for UCF and picked up the win.
The Knights (14-3) scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and never trailed in the opener.
Dazon Cole (0-3) started and went 5 2/3 innings in taking the loss. He allowed four runs on eight hits, walked two and struck out four. Colton Bradley worked 2 1/3 innings in relief, surrendering three runs on three hits, walking two and striking out three.
The Chippewas collected 11 hits, but stranded 10 baserunners. Alex Borglin, Daniel Robinson, Jiopping and David Cole had two hits apiece for CMU. Frazer, Cole and Jipping drove in a run apiece.
Juan Pimentel (4-0) started for UCF and earned the victory. He allowed one run on seven hits, walked one and struck out four.
