Chippewas Hold On, Claim Big Win In Series Opener

Friday, April 5

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

3 p.m.

Central Michigan University

22-7, 6-2

Ball State

19-10, 4-1

Ball State

Central Michigan

Photo by: Allissa Rusco

4/5/2019 8:37:00 PM | Baseball

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Leatherman sets the tone in 5-4 victory over Ball State

By: Mitch Vosburg, CMUChippewas.com

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Pat Leatherman gave Central Michigan a quality start and Cameron Miller pitched out of a two-on jam in the ninth inning on Friday as the Central Michigan baseball team took the opener of a big three-game Mid-American Conference series from Ball State, 5-4, at Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium.

It was CMU's eighth-consecutive victory as it improved to 22-7, 6-1 MAC. The Chippewas ended Ball State's win streak at 10 games. The Cardinals are 19-10, 4-1.

The Chippewas and Miami (Ohio), a 10-6 winner on Friday at Toledo, are tied atop the league standings, while Ball State is a game back.

"(The team) feels good that when they're in a tight spot something good's going to happen," CMU coach Jordan Bischel said. "With that being said, Ball State feels the same way. They came in with a 10-game winning streak and somebody had to lose today between two pretty good teams.

"It's fun baseball when you have two teams getting after it. You have to worry about the process in doing things right and see where the results leave you."

Game two is set for Saturday (1 p.m.). Sophomore Cameron Brown will start for CMU against John Baker. The series finale is slated for Sunday (1 p.m.).

HOW IT HAPPENED

CMU built a 5-1 lead through five innings, getting an RBI double from Jacob Crum, a run-scoring single from Zach Gilles, an RBI grounder from David Cole, and a two-run double from Griffin Lockwood-Powell.

Ball State got two sacrifice flies and a bases-loaded walk in scoring three runs in the seventh to pull within 5-4. Chippewa reliever Jordan Patty preserved the lead by working out of a two-on jam, getting a strikeout to end the inning.

Miller worked a perfect eighth and then surrendered two singles in the ninth before inducing a lineout and a strikeout to end the game, stranding two baserunners for his fifth save.

SOLID PITCHING

Leatherman (5-0), a senior right-hander, allowed one run on two hits while walking three and striking out four over six innings for the victory.

"Pat knows how to compete and how to pitch," Bischel said. "It seems like he makes his biggest pitches when you're in the tightest spots."

Drey Jameson (1-3), last year's MAC Freshman Pitcher of the Year, took the loss. He surrendered five runs on six hits and walked five over four innings.

AT THE PLATE

Crum, Zach Heeke, Gilles and Jason Sullivan had two hits each to lead CMU's 11-hit attack.