Central Michigan baseball (12-18, 6-11) evened up the series against BGSU (14-18, 8-9) with a 5-0 win Saturday at Steller Field—the Chippewas’ first shutout win of the season—ending Bowling Green’s six-game winning streak.
The Falcons had won seven consecutive wins against Central Michigan dating back to 2023. The victory was CMU’s first in Bowling Green since 2022.
“Not good enough in any in any of the three phases: on the mound, defensively or at the plate,” head coach Kyle Hallock said. “Pretty simple. They outplayed us in all three of them.”
Central Michigan’s pitching shut down the Bowling Green bats, holding the Falcons to just three hits.
“We talked about being on time for the fastball, which when we’re right and we’re scoring runs, we’re on time for the fastball. Today we were not,” Hallock said.
Bowling Green left eight runners on base in the loss. The issue was highlighted by sophomore infielder Brayden Curlis striking out looking to end the fifth inning, stranding the bases loaded.
Junior designated hitter Lance Vickers, junior infielder Vinny Salvione and redshirt senior infielder Anthony Mitta recorded the only hits for the Falcons. Vickers tallied his firs extra-base hit of the season with a double.
Senior right-handed pitcher Hayden Bailey tossed a gem in his start, earning his first win of the season.
Bailey threw 106 pitches across six scoreless innings, striking out six and walking three.
Redshirt senior left-hander Ethan Stade took the loss for the Falcons.
Stade allowed four runs on four hits across 95 pitches in six innings. He stuck out eight and walked just two. In six outings in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play, Stade has 48 strikeouts to nine walks in 32.1 innings pitched.
“He was fine. He probably got one or two pitches that they hit that he would like back,” Hallock said. “He’s been rock solid, and he will continue to be rock solid.”
Central Michigan scored three runs in the third inning. First, redshirt junior infielder Bryson Webb singled on a bunt before a throwing error allowed redshirt sophomore infielder Drew Loikits to score from second.
Then, junior outfielder Harrison Bowman blasted a two-run home run into the trees over the left field wall.
“I think for that, I threw a slider. It was supposed to be a little but down. I kind of left it up middle,” Stade said. “If I hit the spot that I want to, that pitch doesn’t happen and the game’s probably a lot different.”
The Chippewas continued to play small ball, as senior outfielder Cole Prout scored on a sacrifice bunt by senior infielder Brady Krzciok in the sixth inning, extending CMU’s lead to 4-0.
Central Michigan scored their final run of the win in the seventh as Webb drilled a double into left field, scoring Loikits.
Next, the teams will play in a rubber match at Sunday at 1 p.m. at Steller Field.
“Do what we need to do to win this series. Nothing matters: Tuesday, Wednesday, next week,” Hallock said. “Nothing matters except tomorrow. This is it.”
