Cougars' Comeback Stalls in Heartbreaking Walk-Off Loss to Central Michigan

(Mt. Pleasant, MI) -- The Cleary Cougars Baseball team traveled north to Mt. Pleasant, MI this afternoon to take on the NCAA DI Central Michigan Chippewas. The nonconference 9-inning game was a thriller that ended in a walk-off. 

Central Michigan got to Cougar pitcher Jacob Savina early on scoring three runs within the first two innings to take an early 3-0 lead. The Cougars settled into the ballgame though and got on the board in the third inning. With runners on second and third, Joey Parinello would come to the plate and hit a sacrifice fly that scored Gavin Kempainen. Hector Montilla would come up after and reach on an error by the Chippewa third baseman that allowed Brendan Seman to score on the play. Central Michigan added one more in the bottom half of the third to take a 4-2 lead. A Cougar comeback would mount in the sixth with the bases loaded. Brodie Mackay scored on a wild pitch, and Ryan Rose scored on the next play to tie the game 4-4. The Cougars would take a 5-4 lead on a wild pitch that allowed Braylon Hughes to score. The Cougars shut down Central Michigan in the seventh and eighth innings looking like they would pull away with the win. Central Michigan mounted a comeback in the ninth and would load the bases with no outs. A fielder's choice would get the Cougars the first out in the inning, however, the game would be tied at 5-5. The Cougars would intentionally walk a batter again to load the bases to have a force out at any base. Central Michigan stood strong and would drive a single to right field to walk off the Cougars. 

Jacob Savina got the start for the Cougars and was dominant on the mound allowing 4 runs (3 earned) through 6.1 innings. Nate Raniszewski (1-3) received the loss on the mound throwing 0.2 innings and allowing 2 runs.

The Cougars are now 11-11 overall. They will continue their season this Friday, March 21 when they take on the Defiance College Yellow Jackets. The doubleheader will be the first home WHAC Conference games played this season for the Cougars. First pitch is set for 1:00 PM at Lake Trust Stadium.