Hot start propels baseball past Ohio 7-2, secures series win

Sunday, March 24

Athens, Ohio

1 p.m.

Central Michigan University

6-18, 3-6

Ohio

8-13, 4-5

Ohio

Central Michigan

Photo by: Julia Bice '22,M'24 - @jb.jpg10

Hot start propels baseball past Ohio 7-2, secures series win

3/24/2024 5:36:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score

Chippewas offense produces seven runs and nine hits; Stuart collects two hits, registers games only homerun

By: Ryan Colores

ATHENS, Ohio – Central Michigan Baseball plated five runs in the first two innings on Sunday en route to defeating Ohio 7-2 and earning a series win over the Bobcats at Bob Wren Stadium.

The Chippewas (6-18, 3-6) return to Theunissen Stadium on Tuesday (March 26) for a midweek matchup against Saginaw Valley State before hitting the road for a weekend series against Eastern Michigan in Ypsilanti, starting on Thursday (March 28).

CMU's lineup came out of the gates firing. Senior infielder Danny Wuestenfeld was driven in by sophomore DH Cole Prout shortly after reaching base via walk. Sophomore catcher Spencer Verburg followed that up with an RBI single to score senior outfielder Jacob Donahue in the first inning.

The Chippewas responded to the early offensive surge by putting up a three spot in the second. CMU loaded the bases from three consecutive walks before freshman outfielder Mikey Murphy delivered a 3-RBI bases-clearing double.

Also delivering an offensive highlight was senior infielder Ely Stuart, who took a one-out offering in the bottom of the fifth and sent it over the center field wall for a solo home run. It was the final run scored by CMU.

Everyone in the Chippewas' lineup did their part, as each player reached base safely at least once. CMU's offense produced nine hits and nine walks in scoring its seven runs.

On the flipside, Ohio's offense logged six hits, leaving 15 runners on base when all was said and done. Chippewa starter Evan Waters (3-2) made life difficult for the Bobcats, as the sophomore left-handed pitcher struck out six and gave up one run on just four hits across his six innings.

Junior Quin Konuszewski entered in relief of Waters in the seventh and closed out the game giving up a run on just two hits over the final three innings.

Wuestenfeld and Stuart each logged a pair of hits to lead CMU. Wuestenfeld also drew a pair of walks and scored a run to cap off his impressive statline.

Murphy led all Chippewas with his three RBI, while four others registered an RBI of their own.