ELLENSBURG, WA.—The Central Washington Wildcats host the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets for a four game series.
GAME INFORMATION
Friday, April 2nd
12:00 PM & 3:00 PM
Vs Montana State University Billings
CWU Baseball Field
Ellensburg, WA
LIVE STATS | WATCH
Saturday, April 3rd
11:00 AM & 2:00 PM
Vs Montana State University Billings
CWU Baseball Field
Ellensburg, WA
LIVE STATS | WATCH
QUOTABLE
"Just looking forward to playing another solid GNAC opponent this weekend. We have been focusing on pitchers continuing to work ahead in the count and improving on the offense." said CWU Head Coach Desi Storey.
SCOUTING THE YELLOWJACKETS
The MSUB Yellowjackets are currently 4-16 on the season and 4-8 in GNAC play. The Yellowjackets earned their four wins with one against Western Oregon 18-2 and three against Saint Martin's University, 18-7, 11-4 & 9-6.
The Yellowjacket offense is led by the offensive pair of Daniel Cipriano and Will Riley. Cipriano is hitting .406 on the year and slugging .986. He has hit a whopping eleven home runs and seven doubles to drive in thirty-two runs for the Yellowjackets. Riley is hitting a slightly more effective .418 with eight doubles, a triple, and a five-pack of homeruns on the year. There two have accounted for just under a third of the team's total runs scored and runs batted in.
On the hill for the Yellowjackets it has been Connor Redmond and Dylan Barkley who have toed the rubber the most. Barkley poses an earned run average of 8.64 while keeping opposing hitters to an underwhelming .279. Barkley also has twenty-seven strikeouts on the year but has given up twenty-nine hits and handed out ten walks. Redmond has the stronger ability to get hitters down on strikes with thirty-six strikeouts in one less inning then Barkley. Redmond also allows a slightly higher opposing average at .307 while giving up two more runs then Barkley at thirty-one.
The key for the 'Cats on offense will be driving up pitch counts and stringing together hits to force the Yellowjackets to dig into the bullpen early. Out of the pen, the Yellowjackets have only one pitcher under an eleven earned run average in Sterling Lay. On the defensive side, the 'Cats pitching staff needs to be wary of Cipriano and Riley. Pitchers will be punished for leaving balls hanging in the zone or offering up one down the middle. The Yellowjacket duo can be an even bigger threat if the 'Cats allow them to step into the box with runners on base. The Yellowjackets have struck out more then any of their opponents so far this year, hinting at their reliance on the slugging to get the job done when it counts.
LAST OUTING FOR CENTRAL
The Wildcats last series was a four-game set which was dropped to the Nighthawks, three games to one. Dillon Larsen had toed the rubber for the 'Cats to start the series. Larsen was lights out through five innings, striking out ten and allowing only three hits. Dylan Weese came in for relief in the sixth inning and he continued on Larsen's momentum. Through the final three innings, Weese allowed only four hits and struck out five. Austin Ohland put up half of the 'Cats runs in game one alone. With a double and homerun, Weese was untouchable at the dish. Justin Culpepper, Jake Tilley and Jason Hill brought the 'Cats bottom half of the lineup alive each with a run batted in.
Game two was a tougher story for the Wildcats. In the top of the first inning the 'Cats rolled on momentum from game one, scoring two runs quickly. Mitch Lesmeister had a double followed by Adam Fahsel reaching base. Tyler McClain came in as the clean up man and drove both in for the only two Wildcat runs of the game. The Nighthawks had countered quickly with five runs in the bottom of the first, and two more in the second. After the first two innings both teams played out a stalemate for the remainder of the day.
Game three of the series followed a similar script to game two. The Nighthawks struck early while the Wildcats were unable to muster up any runs until the sixth inning where they scored two and cut the lead, 5-2. The Nighthawks responded promptly the next inning, adding two more insurance runs. The 'Cats put up their final run of the game in the top of the ninth but fell 7-3 to the Nighthawks. Mitch Lesmeister had doubled twice and batted a run in. Justin Hampson and Austin Ohland also put up a double each, but it was Michael Peter and Justin Culpepper who drove in the other two runs for the 'Cats.
The final game of the series was a nail biter, the 'Cats almost mounted a comeback in the ninth but fell 3-1. The Nighthawks scored twice in the fourth and once in the fifth, giving them the early lead. Michael Peter, Jason Hill and Justin Hampson were able to load to the bases for the 'Cats in their final inning. Mitch Lesmeister was able to draw a walk, plating the 'Cats only run of the game before they would fall on strikes to end it.
This weekend the 'Cats will look to be more consistent at the plate and continue to have strong outings from their starting pitchers. If the offense can get hot early backed up by strong pitching, the 'Cats will have the ability to walk away on top.
SPECTATORS PROHIBITED
At this time, spectators are prohibited at all Central Washington University home athletic events per Washington State, Kittitas County Health Board, and the GNAC. Schedules are subject to change at any time pending decisions from the health board and other local and regional authorities.
