Baseball Drops MAC-Opening Twinbill at Kent State

Friday, March 8

Kent, Ohio

11 a.m.

Central Michigan University

3-12, 1-0

Kent State

5-8, 0-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Central Michigan	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	0	3	7	0
Kent State	0	0	0	0	1	3	0	2	0	6	5	1

Photo by: Jack Reeber '23,M'25 - @jackreeber.raw

3/8/2024 8:38:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Box Score Game One Box Score Game Two

Mrakitsch, Batka combine to strike out 15

By: Ryan Colores

KENT, Ohio -- After spending the last three weeks playing out the nonconference schedule, CMU baseball got its first taste of Mid-American Conference play on Friday with a doubleheader at Kent State.

The Chippewas (3-13, 0-2) lost game one 6-3, before dropping game two 3-1.

The series was originally scheduled for three single games, but the weather forecast necessitated Friday's twinbill. The finale is set for Sunday (1 p.m.).

Junior Adam Mrakitsch (1-3) allowed four runs on three hits and walked four over six innings in He also registered eight strikeouts, which is his second-highest mark on the season.

The Chippewas plated their first in the top of the fifth, as senior Ely Stuart delivered a sacrifice fly.

The Golden Flashes did the bulk of their damage in the bottom of the sixth, jumping out a 4-1 lead courtesy of a three-run homer.

The Chippewas got two back, both unearned, in the eighth, to cut it to 4-3. Kent State answered with two runs to push the advantage back to three and ultimately seal the game.

Nick Dardas and Jacob Donahue led CMU with two hits apiece. CMU finished with seven.

Bryce Hellgeth and Evan Waters pitched in relief.

Senior right-hander Keegan Batka (0-3) nearly matched Mrakitch's strikeout total, punching out seven in 6 1/3 innings while giving up three runs on six hits.

Waters allowed just one hit while striking out two in the final 1 2/3 innings in relief.

The Chippewas, who managed just three hits, got their run in the eighth on a Jake Brill sacrifice fly.