ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University baseball team (8-15, 6-6 GNAC) sees the official return of baseball to Ellensburg after having the season home opener moved to Yakima on Feb. 27-28. The Wildcats will start with a nonconference matchup against Eastern Oregon (8-19) on Tuesday, March 24, followed by a GNAC four-game series against Northwest Nazarene (21-9, 11-1 GNAC) starting on Friday, March 27.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Tuesday, March 24
Central Washington vs Eastern Oregon
1:00 p.m.
CWU Baseball Field
Ellensburg, Wash.
WATCH:
HERE
LIVE STATS:
HERE
HISTORY:
HERE
Friday, March 27
Central Washington vs Northwest Nazarene
Game One: Noon | Game Two: 3:00 p.m.
CWU Baseball Field
Ellensburg, Wash.
WATCH:
HERE
LIVE STATS:
HERE
HISTORY:
HERE
Saturday, March 28
Central Washington vs Northwest Nazarene
Game One: Noon | Game Two: 3:00 p.m.
CWU Baseball Field
Ellensburg, Wash.
WATCH:
HERE
LIVE STATS:
HERE
HISTORY:
HERE
LAST WEEKEND:
The Wildcats had a strong showing last weekend, defeating Saint Martin's three out of four games. Both games on Saturday saw the Crimson and Black come from behind to win in the final two innings. The Saints then found their offense in the first game on Sunday, giving CWU a 15-4 thumping. However, SMU looked to run out of gas for the series finale as Central took an early lead and held the Saints to one run to win the finale 5-1.
Strong performances were shown across the CWU lineup in the series. At the plate, the Wildcats were led by
Andre Garza with four RBIs, three hits, and a run scored, as well as
Logan Blank who recorded seven hits, one RBI, and scored three runs. Strong hitters from the 'Cats included
Ethan Swenson with six hits including a game-winning two run shot in game two.
Max Bledy (3 RBIs, 3 hits),
Ethan Buckley (5 hits, 3 runs), and
Conrad Henkel (4 hits, 3 RBIs) rounded out a huge part of the Wildcat offense.
On the mound, the 'Cats saw big performances from
Austin Cupic (5.2 innings pitched, 3 runs, 6 hits, 3 strikeouts),
Kellen Berg (1.1 innings pitched, 0 runs, 2 hits),
Garet Hagy (seven innings pitched, 2 runs, 3 hits, 2 strikeouts),
Jackson Burtis (4.1 innings pitched, 1 run, 4 hits), and
Drake Anderson (2.2 innings pitched, 0 run, 0 hits)
SCOUTING THE MOUNTAINEERS:
Eastern Oregon has had a rough season so far. The Mountaineers opened the season with a 2-5 nonconference run before going 5-12 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play.
The Mounties are led by Jace Nagler with 39 hits and 26 RBIs in 100 at-bats for an average of .390. Alex Olague and Lucas Smith follow in the batting lineup with Olague hitting 26-76 for .342 and Smith hitting 22-74 for .297.
On the mound, the Mountaineers are led by Easton Corey with 37 innings pitched, while allowing 22 runs (21 earned), 28 hits, in 136 at-bats for an ERA of 5.11 and a WHIP of 1.30.
The Wildcats and Mountaineers face off on Tuesday with first pitch from the CWU baseball field set for 1:00 p.m.
SCOUTING THE NIGHTHAWKS:
Northwest Nazarene has the best record currently in the GNAC with a record of 11-1 in-conference while posting a 21-9 overall record. The Nighthawks' only loss so far in GNAC play was last Saturday, March 21, against Montana State Billings when the Yellowjackets struck late with a two-RBI single in the eighth inning to hand NNU its first and only loss in conference play so far this season.
The Nighthawks' offense is loaded with strong hitters with eight of their nine usual starters hitting over .300. NNU is led by Gavin Brubaker with 32 hits and 15 RBIs in 89 at-bats for an average of .360, followed by Parker Sobiesiak with 34 hits and 19 RBIs in 96 at-bats for a .354 batting average. Adrian Arechiga is the big hitter for the Nighthawks with six dingers so far this season, while Kaleb Karpstein leads the on-base attempts with a .479 on-base percentage in 92 at-bats.
On the mound, the Nighthawks are led by two strong pitchers. Corbin Talley is NNU's evident ace with seven starts and a 5-0 record. In 34.1 innings pitched, Talley has only allowed 24 hits, 12 runs (eight earned), and has thrown 48 strikeouts with a 2.10 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Dillon Eden is the second pitcher in line with a 4-0 record with seven starts with 40.1 innings pitched and 24 runs, and 45 hits allowed. Eden has thrown 33 strikeouts and has a 4.46 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP.
The Wildcats and Nighthawks take the field starting on Friday, March 27. First pitches are scheduled for noon for game one and 3:00 p.m. for game two.
