Central Michigan University
20-7
Notre Dame
11-15
Big Bats Lift Chippewas Past Notre Dame
4/2/2019 10:57:00 PM | Baseball
Lockwood-Powell homers, drives in 7 runs as CMU wins 6th straight game
The Chippewas, who collected 12 hits, won their sixth consecutive game in improving to 20-7. It marked the 10th time this season that the Chippewas have scored at least 10 runs in a game, and their .311 batting average ranks among the top 10 in the nation.
"The key to our offense has been all nine hitters consistently giving us good at-bats," CMU coach Jordan Bischel said. "It has created a lot of pressure for the opposing pitchers."
BIG NIGHT
In addition to his homer, Lockwood-Powell produced a run-scoring single and three sacrifice flies to finish with a career-high seven RBI.
The Mid-American Conference leader in RBI, Lockwood-Powell has driven in 41 runs this season. He entered the game tied for 20th nationally in that category.
Lockwood-Powell has 13 multi-hit games this season and he has hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games, raising his average to a season-high .376. Four of his MAC-leading six home runs have come in his last eight games.
"Griffin has a very simple swing that leaves very few holes," Bischel said. "When you combine that with an advanced hitting approach it makes him an awfully tough out. He is fun to watch as a hitter right now."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Chippewas broke a 1-1 tie and took the lead for good with a three-run third inning, and increased their advantage to 7-1 through 3 ½ innings.
Notre Dame (11-15) crept to within 7-5 and then loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Jordan Patty got a strikeout and then a grounder to end the threat and preserve the lead.
CMU responded with five runs in the eighth – highlighted by Lockwood-Powell's homer -- and then five more in the ninth to turn the game into a rout.
AT THE PLATE
Zach Gilles had two triples among his four hits and drove in four runs for CMU, and Jacob Crum added two hits. Evan Kratt picked up two RBI. Gilles, a junior, is the MAC's top hitter at .412.
ON THE MOUND
Freshman left-hander Garrett Navarra (1-0) started and earned his first career victory, allowing one run on one hit, walking two and striking out two over three innings.
Garrett Willis, another freshman left-hander, allowed two runs on two hits while walking one in three innings of relief.
"Navarra and Willis did a great job of trusting their stuff and executing pitches," Bischel said.
Jack Collins, Patty, Brandon Reed and Grant Frazer also pitched in relief for the Chippewas.
NEXT
CMU travels to East Lansing to face Michigan State (5-20) on Wednesday (4 p.m.). The Spartans defeated Western Michigan, 5-2, on Tuesday at Comerica Park in Detroit.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Navarra, Garrett (1-0)
L: Z Martin (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Heeke, Zach 1
3B: Gilles, Zach 2
HR: Lockwood-Powell, Griffin 1
RBI: Warren, Zavier 1 ; Gilles, Zach 4 ; Lockwood-Powell, Griffin 7 ; Crum, Jacob 1 ; Kratt, Evan 2 ; Cleveland, Blake 1
SH: Heeke, Zach 1 ; Gilles, Zach 1
SF: Lockwood-Powell, Griffin 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Heeke, Zach 3 ; Warren, Zavier 3 ; Gilles, Zach 3 ; Lockwood-Powell, Griffin 2 ; Crum, Jacob 3 ; Rollin, Chase 3
SB: Crum, Jacob 1
CS: Williams, Gaoshua 1
HBP: Warren, Zavier 1
Batting:
2B: D Jung 1 ; J Zyska 1
HR: N Kavadas 1
RBI: D Jung 2 ; J Arndorfer 1 ; N Kavadas 2 ; J Alexander 1 ; D LaManna 1
SF: D LaManna 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Z Mazur 1 ; E Gilgenbach 1 ; N Kavadas 2 ; J Singer 1 ; J Zyska 1 ; R Carr 1
