CMU Gets Bounced From NCAA Baseball Tourney
The Central Michigan Chippewas made an incredible run through the loser's bracket of the South Band Regional, but fell short of the title.
Notre Dame blasted the Chips 14-2 to win the regional after CMU had knocked out Michigan and Connecticut to get to the finals.
Notre Dame put up an incredible 50 runs in three games to advance to next week's Super Regional round. It was the first regional title for the Irish in 19 years.
After losing in the opening round 10-0 to the Irish, the Chippewas had to get up early on Saturday and Sunday to stay alive.
CMU topped state rival Michigan 6-2 Saturday to keep their hopes alive, and then early Sunday, outslugged UConn 14-9 to earn the right to play Notre Dame in the title series.
To win the double elimination bracket, the Chippewas would have to defeat Notre Dame twice. But it didn't come down to that as the Irish blasted the Chips 14-2 to win the title on their home field.
"I couldn't be prouder of this team, how they represented our university, our state, themselves," CMU head coach Joradn Bischel said after the loss. "I think, for our guys, nothing more appropriate than spending 12 hours at the ballpark our last day of the season. Because these guys just love to play. Win or lose, the opportunity to spend all that time together means the world to them."
Catcher Griffin Lockwood-Powell, Infielder Justin Simpson and right handed pitcher Jordan Patty made the all-tournament team for the Chippewas.