Big Hit Eludes CMU In Baseball Season Opener

Friday, February 15

Troy, Ala.

7 p.m.

Central Michigan University

0-1

Troy

1-0

Central Michigan

Troy

CMU sophomore Zach Gilles slides safely into third base Wednesday in the Chippewas' 8-0 win over Cleary at Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium.

Junior Zach Gilles had four hits to lead CMU at the plate in their season-opening 3-2 loss at Troy on Friday.

2/15/2019 11:40:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Leatherman solid on the mound for Chippewas

By: Mitch Vosburg, CMUChippewas.com

TROY, Ala. – The Central Michigan baseball team could not deliver the timely hit on Friday in dropping its season opener, 3-2, to Troy at the Trojans' Riddle-Pace Field.

CMU stranded 11 baserunners, including eight in scoring position. The Chippewas left at least one runner on in seven of their nine turns at bat. They left two in scoring position in the seventh inning and they left the bases loaded in the eighth. CMU also struck out 14 times.

The Chippewas and Troy are scheduled to square off in a doubleheader on Saturday (2 p.m.) and then close the season-opening series on Sunday (noon).

"I thought our guys did a nice job coming out and playing our style of baseball," said Jordan Bischel, who was coaching his first game at CMU. "We did a lot of things well."

HOW IT HAPPENED

Reed Smith hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning to break a 1-1 tie.

AT THE PLATE

Junior Zach Gilles had four hits including a double to lead CMU at the plate. The Chippewas got a run in the sixth inning when Jason Sullivan doubled, moved to third on a single, and scored on a double steal.

Down 3-1 in the eighth inning, CMU loaded the bases on a single, a walk and a hit batsman and pushed across a run on a Troy error.

ON THE MOUND

Jack Collins, who relieved starter Pat Leatherman, surrendered the homer to Smith and took the loss.

Leatherman, a senior right-hander, did not allow a hit over five innings. He struck out seven and walked one. He retired the first 13 batters he faced.

"Pat's biggest asset is his experience and his mentality," Bischel said. "He understands how to prepare and how to pitch and his preparation paid off tonight."

Ryan Fultz, the third Troy pitcher, picked up the victory, while Rush Hixon went the final two innings for the save.