Central Michigan University Athletics
Friday, March 17
Athens, Ohio
4 p.m.
Central Michigan University
10-7, 1-0
8
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5
Ohio
4-11, 2-2
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Central Mich.
2
0
5
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10
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Ohio
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3
Junior catcher Nick Dardas homered for the second consecutive game on Friday in the Chippewas' 8-5 victory at Ohio.
Photo by: Sydney Kline '26 - @sydney.kline.photography
Dardas, Navarra Homer as Baseball Wins MAC Opener
3/17/2023 6:38:00 PM | Baseball
ATHENS, Ohio – Nick Dardas and Garrett Navarra both homered and Adam Mrakitsch turned in a solid start on the mound on Friday as the Central Michigan baseball team opened Mid-American Conference play with an 8-5 victory over Ohio at the Bobcats' Bob Wren Stadium.
The Chippewas (10-7) and Bobcats (4-11) play game two of their three-game series on Saturday (2 p.m.) and then are scheduled to close the series on Sunday (1 p.m.).
Navarra hit a three-run homer and Dardas followed with a two-run shot during CMU's five-run third inning which put the Chippewas up, 7-1.
It was the second homer of the season for both Navarra and Dardas, who were facing Ohio starter Luke Olson for the second time in the game.
"But both put really good swings on those balls," CMU coach Jordan Bischel said. "I think we were seeing the ball pretty well but also, second time (through the order), guys should be a little more comfortable and it looked like they definitely were."
It was Dardas' second homer in as many games and the fourth of his career. Both of his previous homers came in the final 24 games of the 2022 season.
"He's not a big kid, but he's worked hard to add some good strength and he really buys in to what we do which allows him to get on time (with his swing)," Bischel said. "If you look back at his last 70 at-bats, I think he's got four or five doubles and four home runs in that stretch.
"It's not a fluke at this point. He does a good job of getting on time and getting the barrel out and if you do that the ball's going to jump a little bit."
Mrakitsch (3-1), a sophomore left-hander, allowed five runs on five hits, struck out seven, and walked one. He walked the Bobcats' first batter of the game and then allowed a one-out RBI double.
After that, he was nearly untouchable as he set down the next 14 Bobcats consecutively. In the sixth, he surrendered four runs including a three-run homer.
"If you just look at the box score, you'd think that Adam had a very average game, but he was really outstanding," Bischel said. "There was a heavy wind blowing out to right field and one fly ball turned into a three-run homer; give them credit for hitting it, but on a normal day, his line looks a lot different.
"He just commanded the ball really well, which starts with his fastball command, which was great. Then he was mixing his off-speed really well. He had command of both body and mind, if that makes sense, and put himself in a great spot mentally and physically executed. It was fun to watch him pitch."
Ryan Palmblad struck out three over two hitless innings for his third save. On the season, Palmblad has struck out 22 and walked just three over 18 innings in nine appearances.
"Ryan did what he's done every time out this year, went in there and threw strikes, mixed speeds and kept guys off the barrel," Bischel said.
The Chippewas struck for two runs in the first inning when Justin Simpson reached on an error and Marquis Jackson walked. They moved into scoring position on a wild pitch and then Simpson scored on a Navarra bunt.
Jackson scored on a Robbie Morgan IV single.
In the third, Jacob Donahue singled and Jackson walked to set the table for Navarra's blast to right center. After Morgan walked, Dardas homered to left.
It was Dardas' second home run in three at-bats after his ninth-inning round-tripper in the Chippewas' 7-4 loss at home to Saginaw Valley State on Wednesday.
Dardas, Navarra, Morgan and Donahue finished with two hits apiece as the Chippewas totaled 10 hits, marking the fourth time in their last five games that they have posted a double-digit hit total.
It marked the seventh time this season that CMU has had at least 10 hits. The Chippewas are 7-0 in those games.
The Chippewas (10-7) and Bobcats (4-11) play game two of their three-game series on Saturday (2 p.m.) and then are scheduled to close the series on Sunday (1 p.m.).
Navarra hit a three-run homer and Dardas followed with a two-run shot during CMU's five-run third inning which put the Chippewas up, 7-1.
It was the second homer of the season for both Navarra and Dardas, who were facing Ohio starter Luke Olson for the second time in the game.
"But both put really good swings on those balls," CMU coach Jordan Bischel said. "I think we were seeing the ball pretty well but also, second time (through the order), guys should be a little more comfortable and it looked like they definitely were."
It was Dardas' second homer in as many games and the fourth of his career. Both of his previous homers came in the final 24 games of the 2022 season.
"He's not a big kid, but he's worked hard to add some good strength and he really buys in to what we do which allows him to get on time (with his swing)," Bischel said. "If you look back at his last 70 at-bats, I think he's got four or five doubles and four home runs in that stretch.
"It's not a fluke at this point. He does a good job of getting on time and getting the barrel out and if you do that the ball's going to jump a little bit."
Mrakitsch (3-1), a sophomore left-hander, allowed five runs on five hits, struck out seven, and walked one. He walked the Bobcats' first batter of the game and then allowed a one-out RBI double.
After that, he was nearly untouchable as he set down the next 14 Bobcats consecutively. In the sixth, he surrendered four runs including a three-run homer.
"If you just look at the box score, you'd think that Adam had a very average game, but he was really outstanding," Bischel said. "There was a heavy wind blowing out to right field and one fly ball turned into a three-run homer; give them credit for hitting it, but on a normal day, his line looks a lot different.
"He just commanded the ball really well, which starts with his fastball command, which was great. Then he was mixing his off-speed really well. He had command of both body and mind, if that makes sense, and put himself in a great spot mentally and physically executed. It was fun to watch him pitch."
Ryan Palmblad struck out three over two hitless innings for his third save. On the season, Palmblad has struck out 22 and walked just three over 18 innings in nine appearances.
"Ryan did what he's done every time out this year, went in there and threw strikes, mixed speeds and kept guys off the barrel," Bischel said.
The Chippewas struck for two runs in the first inning when Justin Simpson reached on an error and Marquis Jackson walked. They moved into scoring position on a wild pitch and then Simpson scored on a Navarra bunt.
Jackson scored on a Robbie Morgan IV single.
In the third, Jacob Donahue singled and Jackson walked to set the table for Navarra's blast to right center. After Morgan walked, Dardas homered to left.
It was Dardas' second home run in three at-bats after his ninth-inning round-tripper in the Chippewas' 7-4 loss at home to Saginaw Valley State on Wednesday.
Dardas, Navarra, Morgan and Donahue finished with two hits apiece as the Chippewas totaled 10 hits, marking the fourth time in their last five games that they have posted a double-digit hit total.
It marked the seventh time this season that CMU has had at least 10 hits. The Chippewas are 7-0 in those games.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Mrakitsch, Adam (3-1)
L: L. Olson (1-1)
S: Palmblad, Ryan (3)
Batting:
2B: Simpson, Justin 1
3B: Navarra, Garrett 1
HR: Navarra, Garrett 1 ; Dardas, Nick 1
RBI: Navarra, Garrett 4 ; Morgan IV, Robby 1 ; Dardas, Nick 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Simpson, Justin 1 ; Donahue, Jacob 1 ; Jackson, Marquis 2 ; Navarra, Garrett 2 ; Morgan IV, Robby 1 ; Dardas, Nick 1
SB: Simpson, Justin 1 ; Donahue, Jacob 1
HBP: Donahue, Jacob 1 ; Jackson, Marquis 1
Batting:
2B: M. Minzey 1
HR: W. Sturek 1
RBI: M. Minzey 1 ; A. Patino 1 ; W. Sturek 3
Base Running:
RUNS: A. Rausch 2 ; C. Kasperbau 1 ; A. Patino 1 ; W. Sturek 1
CS: A. Patino 1
HBP: C. Kasperbau 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
5
R
2
H
2
RBI
4
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
5
R
1
H
2
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
C
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OF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ BaseballLHP/OF
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LHP
/ Baseball
INF
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