Sunday, May 12
Ypsilanti, Mich.
1 p.m.
Central Michigan University
39-12, 0
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at
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Eastern Michigan
11-40-1, 0
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Central Michigan
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Eastern Michigan
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Photo by: Benjamin Suddendorf
Chippewas Post Third-Straight MAC Sweep
5/12/2019 5:00:00 PM | Baseball
CMU maintains lead heading into final weekend of the regular season
YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Central Michigan baseball team broke through and Ryan Palmblad came out of the bullpen to shut down Eastern Michigan on Sunday as the Chippewas posted an 8-7 victory in the finale of a three-game Mid-American Conference series at EMU's Oestrike Stadium.
The win gave the Chippewas a sweep of the series as they improved to 39-12, 19-5 MAC. They hold a one-game lead over Ball State in the conference standings and close the regular season next weekend at home with a three-game league set against Miami (Ohio), which is tied for third place.
The Chippewas have clinched a spot in the six-team MAC Tournament. The regular-season champion earns the No. 1 seed for the tournament, which begins on May 22 in Avon, Ohio.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Eagles built a 7-4 lead through five innings. The Chippewas batted around in the sixth, getting two-run singles from Jacob Crum and Zach Heeke in surging to an 8-7 lead.
Palmblad (3-0), a freshman left-hander, was superb in relief, allowing one run on one hit and striking out five over 5 2/3 innings.
"Eastern Michigan came out very prepared today and swung the bats well," CMU coach Jordan Bischel said. "We made a few mistakes that hurt as, but to our credit we competed well and hung in there.
"Zach Heeke had a great performance and Ryan Palmblad was dynamic out of the bullpen. I am really proud of how our guys hung in there and made enough plays to win."
AT THE PLATE
Heeke finished with four hits including two doubles and drove in three runs to lead CMU at the plate. Griffin Lockwood-Powell singled and doubled. Heeke extended his hit streak to 12 games.
THE NUMBERS
The Chippewas have swept their last three MAC series and four this season. Sunday's win was the Chippewas' 11the league victory in a row and their 11th consecutive win overall.
NEXT
CMU entertains Michigan State in a nonconference game on Tuesday (4 p.m.) at Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium.
The Chippewas and RedHawks open their three-game series at Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium on Thursday, May 16 (3 p.m.). Game two of the series is set for Friday, May 17 (3 p.m.) with the finale slated for Saturday, May 18 (1 p.m.).
The win gave the Chippewas a sweep of the series as they improved to 39-12, 19-5 MAC. They hold a one-game lead over Ball State in the conference standings and close the regular season next weekend at home with a three-game league set against Miami (Ohio), which is tied for third place.
The Chippewas have clinched a spot in the six-team MAC Tournament. The regular-season champion earns the No. 1 seed for the tournament, which begins on May 22 in Avon, Ohio.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Eagles built a 7-4 lead through five innings. The Chippewas batted around in the sixth, getting two-run singles from Jacob Crum and Zach Heeke in surging to an 8-7 lead.
Palmblad (3-0), a freshman left-hander, was superb in relief, allowing one run on one hit and striking out five over 5 2/3 innings.
"Eastern Michigan came out very prepared today and swung the bats well," CMU coach Jordan Bischel said. "We made a few mistakes that hurt as, but to our credit we competed well and hung in there.
"Zach Heeke had a great performance and Ryan Palmblad was dynamic out of the bullpen. I am really proud of how our guys hung in there and made enough plays to win."
AT THE PLATE
Heeke finished with four hits including two doubles and drove in three runs to lead CMU at the plate. Griffin Lockwood-Powell singled and doubled. Heeke extended his hit streak to 12 games.
THE NUMBERS
The Chippewas have swept their last three MAC series and four this season. Sunday's win was the Chippewas' 11the league victory in a row and their 11th consecutive win overall.
NEXT
CMU entertains Michigan State in a nonconference game on Tuesday (4 p.m.) at Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium.
The Chippewas and RedHawks open their three-game series at Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium on Thursday, May 16 (3 p.m.). Game two of the series is set for Friday, May 17 (3 p.m.) with the finale slated for Saturday, May 18 (1 p.m.).
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Palmblad, Ryan (3-0)
L: COOK (1-6)
Batting:
2B: Lockwood-Powell, Griffin 1 ; Heeke, Zach 2
RBI: Crum, Jacob 2 ; Heeke, Zach 3 ; Navarra, Garrett 1 ; Kratt, Evan 1
SH: Sullivan, Jason 1
SF: Kratt, Evan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Warren, Zavier 1 ; Gilles, Zach 2 ; Lockwood-Powell, Griffin 2 ; Crum, Jacob 2 ; Heeke, Zach 1
SB: Gilles, Zach 1
HBP: Heeke, Zach 1
Batting:
2B: OWINGS 2 ; JONES, Na. 1
RBI: OWINGS 2 ; JONES, N. 1 ; KAUFFMAN 2 ; EASTER 1
SH: HOPKINS 1
SF: EASTER 1
Base Running:
RUNS: RENSEL JR 3 ; OWINGS 1 ; JONES, Na. 1 ; HOPKINS 1 ; CRUZ 1
SB: JONES, N. 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
1
H
4
RBI
3
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
0
ph/dh
AB
2
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
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