Good omen? Maybe.
The last time Central Michigan won its opener in the Mid-American Conference Tournament, it proceeded to make the championship game.
Pat Leatherman settled into a groove and went seven solid innings on Wednesday as the Chippewas opened the tournament with a 6-2 victory over Northern Illinois at Sprenger Stadium.
CMU (30-26) will play Western Michigan (24-27) on Thursday (4:30 p.m.). The Broncos advanced with a 6-5 10-inning win over Eastern Michigan on Wednesday.
“Really pleased,” CMU coach Steve Jaksa said. “You want to stay in the winner’s bracket as long as you can.