Bailey Dominant in Firing 2-Hitter as Baseball Takes Series Opener From Akron

Friday, May 8

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

3 p.m.

Central Michigan University

21-27, 10-18

Akron

20-29, 10-18

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

Photo by: Brayden Gallagher

Photo by: Clayton Kuiper '26

Bailey Dominant in Firing 2-Hitter as Baseball Takes Series Opener From Akron

5/8/2026 7:27:00 PM | Baseball

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Bailey's complete-game shutout is first by CMU pitcher in 2 seasons

By: Andy Sneddon

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Hayden Bailey saved his best for last.

And his best was good. Really good.

Bailey, a Central Michigan senior right-hander pitching for the final time on Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium, tossed a two-hit complete game on Friday as the Chippewas topped Akron, 3-0, in the opener of a three-game Mid-American Conference series.

"It's my last ever college start here at sunny T," Bailey said, evoking the stadium's nickname. "I've only been here for two years, but I've made a lot of good memories with my teammates here. Just trying to enjoy it while it lasts.

"When I first came (to CMU), I was obviously aware of the history that was here and that's a big reason why I did decided to come here. And it's only grown since I've been here. I love it. I wouldn't change a thing."

Not much to change about his eight-strikeout, one-walk gem on Friday. The Davison native, who transferred to CMU in 2025 from Madonna, was in full command throughout and did not allow a hit until Kelton Phillips led off the seventh with a single.

"During the game? No," Bailey said when asked if he thought about the start being his last at Theunissen. "It definitely crossed my mind hours before the game as I was warming up, long-tossing.

"I kind of just took in the moment and enjoyed it and realized that whatever's going to happen today is going to happen and left it up to God."

"I was relaxed. I put a lot of trust in my teammates. They have my back, I have theirs. I do my job and they do theirs."

Bailey (2-4) consistently got ahead in counts. He got a dozen flyball outs and six groundouts. He threw 104 pitches, 61 of them for strikes.

"He got ahead of every hitter, it felt like, and if he didn't, he was quick to respond and get a ball in play right after," CMU catcher Spencer Verburg said. "Just great composure. He didn't let anything get too big. He was competitive in the (strike) zone all day.

"So fun to catch that game, especially when he's got command of every pitch."

The Chippewas gave Bailey a 1-0 lead in the third when Jonathan Fleaka led off with a double. Cole Prout bunted for a single and Fleaka scored on a throwing error on the play.

The Chippewas added a run in the sixth when Bryson Webb singled, took third on a Harrison Bowman double, and scored on a Brady Krzciok sacrifice fly.

CMU got its final run when Fleaka was hit by a pitch and then Prout and Verburg walked to load the bases. Fleaka scored on a wild pitch.

Bowman doubled twice to lead CMU's eight-hit attack.

Bailey's complete-game shutout win was CMU first such victory since April 28, 2024, when Keegan Batka struck out 14 in tossing a three-hitter in a 2-0 win over Northern Illinois at Theunissen.

It was the lowest hit total by a CMU opponent since April 24, 2024, when seven Chippewa hurlers combined to hold Notre Dame to one hit in a 2-0 win in South Bend, Ind.

"I think the most important thing was his tempo and his rhythm today was so much better than his last couple outings," CMU coach Jake Sabol said of Bailey.

"When he fell behind, he didn't let those at-bats turn into (free passes). He came back from 3-1, 3-2, filled it up, forced Akron to put the ball in play or get a swing (and miss). That was the game changer.

"I'm happy for him. He's had some ups and downs since he's been here. He's been in the rotation, out of the rotation, throwing in relief, back in the rotation – Friday, Saturday, Sunday; you name it, he's filled a lot of roles and today that's the guy I thought we were going to get a handful of more times.

"He's got the stuff to be that kind of guy. It was good to see him go out there and be the guy we thought he could be. Proud of him for that."