Central Michigan Defeats Western Michigan to Advance in MAC Championship Baseball Tournament

Photo by Al Kornspan

Kent – Central Michigan scored three runs in the third inning against Western Michigan to keep their MAC Championship and NCAA tournament hopes alive.

Central Michigan got on the scoreboard when Marquis Jackson hit a two-run homer over the right field fence.  

“I think everybody came out with good spirits, we dropped one yesterday,” said Jackson. “I don’t think anyone held down their head. I think we were ready to play baseball, we played a good game.”

 

After Jackson’s home run, Central Michigan added an unearned run in the same inning to make the score 3-0.

Western Michigan rallied back in the top of the seventh, scoring two runs to make the score 3-2.

Central Michigan came right back in the bottom of the seventh, adding two runs of their own to take a 5-2 lead.

After having an RBI single in the top of the inning, two-way player Garrett Navarra came in from the outfield to pitch the last three innings and earn the save for Central Michigan.

“It was just a great team victory today,” said Navarra. “Yesterday, I thought we swung it pretty well at the plate, and we did not pitch and play as well as we wanted to. Today was kind of the opposite, the bats struggled a little bit. That shows you the importance, and kind of what this team is all about – just picking each other up when we’re down. Doesn’t matter who gets the job done.”

With the victory, Central Michigan will now face Kent State in an elimination game on Friday. The winner will play Ball State in the MAC Championship game on Saturday afternoon.