Despite a late rally from a 7-0 deficit, the MSU baseball team fell to Central Michigan on Wednesday night, 7-5.
MSU fell into the 7-0 hole thanks to six unearned runs allowed — a Spartan error in the third inning allowed two runs to score, and three errors in the fourth inning led to five additional runs by the Chippewas.
11 hitters in the fourth inning allowed CMU to capitalize on Spartan errors on defense, leading to five runs. A bases-loaded walk by Spartan pitcher Chase Rihtarchik allowed the first run. Rihtarchik ended up taking the loss for the Spartans.
Four runs in the top of the fifth inning brought MSU within striking distance, as a bases-loaded single by junior outfielder Anthony Cheky scored the first two runs. Junior outfielder Jimmy Pickens then scored Cheky with a single to make the score 7-4.
In the ninth, Salter took advantage of two Spartans on base with an RBI single, but CMU's Jimmy McNamara struck out the final two batters to earn the win for the Chippewas.
MSU next plays Indiana on the road. The series opens at 7 p.m. on Friday night. The Friday night game is scheduled to be televised on Big Ten Network.
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