Central Michigan University
Eastern Michigan
Frustrated Chippewas Fall In 12 Innings
5/4/2018 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Baseball is a game that can take a team from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows.
Sometimes in the same game.
Eastern Michigan took advantage of a Central Michigan error in the 12th inning on Friday in handing the Chippewas a 7-6 loss in the opener of a three-game Mid-American Conference baseball series at Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium.
The bitterly disappointing loss snapped CMU's five-game win streak and left the Chippewas 19-24-1, 11-8 MAC. Eastern is 17-26, 10-9.
Griffin Lockwood-Powell's seventh-inning grand slam gave the Chippewas a 6-1 lead that the bullpen could not hold.
Eastern Michigan tied it with four runs in the eighth and then one in the ninth before winning it in the 12th.
"I'm really proud of my guys' effort," CMU coach Steve Jaksa said. "Played a hell of a game. So did they. Twelve innings, and each team just made an error. That was it. We got some big hits to take the lead and we just couldn't quite get it done tonight. We couldn't finish this one."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Lockwood-Powell's slam, his second of the year and his team-leading fourth round-tripper of the season, gave the Chippewas a seemingly comfortable five-run lead with two innings to play.
But two CMU relievers, left-handers Jack Collins and Brandon Reed, could not stop the bleeding. Collins walked one and allowed one hit in surrendering three runs, while Reed walked two and allowed two hits in allowing two runs.
With the game tied, 6-6, Max Schuemann singled leading off the Eastern 12th off Colton Bradley. Scheumann stole second. Catcher Blake Cleveland's throw hit Scheumann and skipped off into the outfield, and Scheumann raced all the way home to score the go-ahead run. It was CMU's lone error of the game.
FRUSTRATION
The Chippewas outhit the Eagles, 12-8, but stranded 11 baserunners. CMU left the potential winning run at second bae in the 10th inning and left the bases loaded in the 11th.
AT THE PLATE
Lockwood-Powell, Jason Sullivan and Dazon Cole finished with two hits apiece for CMU. Lockwood-Powell tied his career high with five RBI.
Zachary Owens hit a solo homer in the first and finished with three hits for Eastern.
ON THE MOUND
Junior right-hander Pat Leatherman started for the Chippewas and turned in an outstanding performance. He allowed one run on two hits, struck out seven and walked one over seven innings.
"I got with him after the game and just told him he pitched a whale of a game," Jaksa said. "It was the Leatherman of old which we need. He was free and able to throw the ball a little bit better than he has been and he gave us a big boost. Just a disappointment in not being able to finish that game."
Bradley (3-1) went four innings, allowing one run on three hits. He walked two and struck out six. It was the senior right-hander's second-longest career outing.
Caleb Hester (1-0), the third Eastern pitcher, picked up the win. Thomas House set the Chippewas down in order in the 12th for his second save.
JAKSA:
"It's such a tough game sometimes. It's not always fair. Just really disappointed for my guys because I thought we just worked so hard today. ... How they battled, I was just really, really proud of them. We've got to do it again tomorrow. We've got to come back and play the same way tomorrow because they're not going to give us anything."
