Central Michigan Topped By Miami at NCAA Regionals
STARKVILLE, Miss. – One of the very best seasons in Central Michigan baseball history came to an end on Sunday, as the Chippewas bowed to Miami (Fla.), 18-3, in an NCAA regional elimination game at Mississippi State's Dudy Noble Field.
The Chippewas finished 47-14, tying the 1988 team for the most victories in program history.
Under first-year coach Jordan Bischel, the Chippewas took the Mid-American Conference by storm, winning both the regular-season and tournament titles, completing the sweep for the first time.
The league tournament championship and resulting NCAA Tournament berth were CMU's first since 1995, and the Chippewas' 6-5 victory over Miami on Friday was the program's first win in the NCAA Tournament since 1988.
"What's probably not as recognized in this part of the country," Bischel said to the media in the postgame press conference, "is the history of Central Michigan baseball is ridiculously strong. I mean it's by far one of the best programs in the Midwest.
"(Former) Coach (Dave) Keilitz built it and the outpouring of support from our alumni was so overwhelming for me … There's a lot of people that did some great things in this program and I feel like our guys did a really good job making them proud."
CMU starter Jordan Patty set down the Hurricanes in order in the first two innings, striking out three.
Miami broke out the lumber in the third, getting a two-run homer from Gabe Rivera and a solo shot from Anthony Vilar, the first two of six home runs by the Hurricanes in the game. They got five more runs in the third, including a homer by Raymond Gil, to chase Patty and put the Chippewas in a deep hole from which they would never recover.
"You've really got to tip the cap to Miami," Bischel said. "That ball club is really, really good and really, really dangerous."
The Chippewas collected eight hits, three of which came from Zavier Warren, who also drove in two runs. Zach Heeke also had two hits.
