Joe Kennard
Sports Writer
kennard.8@wright.edu
When Michael Schum takes the mound, good things happen.
But the Raiders’ All-American closer blew a rare save in the series opener against Butler on Friday.
“We didn’t close it out,” said Head Coach Rob Cooper. “Michael Schum has been unbelievable his entire career here. That’s why he’s been a multiple All-American selection. He’s always been really good. And he just had one of those games.”
Schum took the mound with a 7-6 lead in the ninth. After shortstop Justin Kopale recorded the first out, the game looked to be in control. But Schum loaded the bases by walking two Bulldogs and hitting another. Each runner scored after a groundout, hit and error.
Down 9-7, the Raiders tried to rally before center fielder Ryan Ashe hit into a game-ending double play.
The loss overshadowed a solid game from right fielder Tristan Moore, who went 4-5 with three RBIs and a homerun. Both Ashe and catcher Corey Davis collected two hits.
Pitching proved to be the Raiders’ downfall that day.
Starter Andrew Elliot gave up three runs in four innings, while relievers Jordan Marker and Schum gave up six runs in a combined five innings of work.
Cooper didn’t lose faith in his pitching staff and unleashed Taylor Braun the next day. Braun rewarded his coach with a gem: seven innings, no earned runs and three hits allowed in a 12-1 win.
“Taylor’s really been a steady guy for us on the mound,” said Cooper. “He’s a guy we really looked to early in the year to help stabilize our pitching staff. He’s continued to give us quality starts throughout the year and did a great job Saturday.”
While Braun improved to 5-1, his teammates backed him up with a strong day at the plate. Seven Raiders had multi-hit games, including infielder Zach Tanner, who went 4-5 with two RBIs.
“He’s rebounded from being hurt, and has started to really find his swing and play every day,” Cooper said of Tanner.
But Cooper also praised the play of freshman third baseman Michael Timm (3-4, three RBIs).
“He’s really getting better and playing well,” said Cooper. “It’s fun to watch him continue to grow as a player.”
In the rubber match of the series, starter Cody Kopilchack sent the Bulldogs packing with a 4-2 win.
“We were not very good offensively Sunday,” said Cooper. “Some of that had to do with their pitching, but we made some bad base-running decisions and we did not bunt the ball well. Cody just kept pitching and gave us a chance. If he doesn’t keep them to two runs throughout the game, then we’re struggling.”
Runs were at a premium in the game. WSU knocked in a run in the first inning on a Tanner RBI single. The Raiders didn’t score again until the eighth.
With his team struggling at the plate, Kopilchack kept the game close by allowing only one earned run in six innings.
The Raider bats finally woke up in the eighth when Ashe and Tanner added RBI singles to give WSU the lead. A Kopale sacrifice fly made the score 4-2 going into the ninth.
With the memory of Friday’s blown save fresh in his mind, Schum trotted out of the bullpen to try once again to put the Bulldogs away.
He needed only two outs to close the game. He got them and set a WSU record for saves.
Tanner (3-4) and Timm (2-4) again led the team with multi-hit games on an otherwise quiet day at the plate for WSU.
Cooper didn’t display much emotion at beating rival Butler. At 30-14 and sitting in first place in the Horizon League, the Raiders saw it as just another series win on their way towards the ultimate goal of reaching the postseason.
But Cooper acknowledged mixed emotions towards this Sunday’s Senior Day matchup against Valparaiso.
“I don’t get real excited about Senior Day,” said Cooper. “I will be [excited] for them because it’s a great day to recognize those nine guys. But it’s tough to say goodbye to them. I’m very lucky to coach the guys I coached. When their career ends, it’s sad. It’s bittersweet.”
