Box Score | Photo Gallery | Watch: Coach Jaksa Postgame
MOUNT PLEASANT - Junior Pat Kaminska was impressive in his first career start Saturday, helping Central Michigan take game two of its series versus Toledo, 7-3.
Kaminska gave up three runs - one earned - on five hits and a walk in 7.1 innings en route to the Chippewas (14-17, 5-3 MAC) clinching the series over the Rockets (12-18, 3-5 MAC).
"Pat has to be congratulated," head coach Steve Jaksa said. "He did a great job throwing up those zeros for a long time. Our team played really well defensively again today, and 12 hits over eight innings gave us an opportunity to score. Both teams threw very well and it was just a well-played game that we were able to chip away to get the win."
The Chippewas struck early, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. Redshirt freshman Nick Regnier led off with a single and scored on a wild pitch for the first run of the game, while senior Tyler Hall singled and scored on a groundout by senior Sam Russell for a 2-0 CMU lead.
Kaminska started his day in dominate fashion for the Maroon and Gold as the righty retired the first nine batters in order through the first three innings and didn't allow a hit until there was one out in the fourth.
The Rockets cut the deficit in half in the top of the fifth with a RBI single from Dan Zuchowski that plated Matt Delwski, but the Chippewas returned the favor with a single run in the bottom of the sixth for a 3-1 lead.
Three infield singles led to a RBI for junior Jordan Dean when Tom Lally scored in the bottom of the seventh and Russell was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, allowing the Chippewas to extend their lead to four, 5-1.
A walk, error and single loaded the bases for the Rockets and chased Kaminska from the game when Jaksa opted to bring in senior left-hander Ryan Longstreth. Senior Eric Wrozek then made his second error of the inning at third bases, allowing two runs to score, and Toledo pulled within two, 5-3.
The Chippewas bounced right back, however, getting a sacrifice fly from Regnier that scored junior Jordan Adams and a bases-loaded walk to senior Tyler Hall for the final run.
Longstreth stayed on in the ninth and retired the Rockets in order to earn his first save of the season.
Regnier finished the day 3-for-4 with two runs scored in the leadoff spot and each of CMU's two through four hitters - Dean, Hall and Arnold - finished the day with two hits.
CMU will go for the series sweep tomorrow afternoon with junior lefty Rick Dodridge on the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05.
