Softball beats WMU, wins five straight
Despite the second game of the double header was cancelled because of the weather, Central Michigan softball earned a 5-2 win over Western Michigan in the first game.
The Chippewas improved to 14-15 overall, and 4-3 in Mid-American Conference action. The Broncos fell to 17-15 (4-3 MAC).
The win is also CMU’s fifth straight — outscoring opponents 26-9 during the streak.
“I thought our team played really well,” said head coach Margo Jonker. “They came up with some key hits, played really good defense and I thought our pitchers did a nice job of holding a tough Western Michigan offense.”
Game two of the doubleheader will be played during the April 11 meeting in Mount Pleasant. The Broncos will be the designated home team for the makeup game, while the Chippewas will be the home team for the previously scheduled game.
The Chippewas struck first with a double from junior first baseman Erika Underwood, scoring Lacy Tolfree for an early 1-0 lead.
CMU struck again with an RBI single from senior Maison Kalina in the third inning. Junior Allison Curtis drove in two runs with a single up the middle to take a commanding 4-0 lead.
The Broncos tallied two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning off an RBI double and a sacrifice fly ball to center, trimming CMU’s lead in half.
Freshman designated hitter Shaidan Knapp responded in the top of the fifth with her third home run of the season to extend the Chippewa lead 5-2.
“I think she’s doing an outstanding job offensively,” Jonker said. “She’s hitting with some power and getting some clutch hits. I’m proud of her."
Senior Taylor Weaver tossed four innings, allowing two runs off three hits. Junior Laura Vaccaro allowed two hits in three innings with one strikeout in relief.
CMU pitchers have allowed six runs in their last four MAC contests.
“They’re locating (pitches) much better and they’ve gained a lot of confidence,” Jonker said. “I’m just happy with how they’re pitching overall.”
Underwood finished 2-of-4 with a RBI double. Curtis went 1-of-3 with two RBIs.
Knapp went 2-of-3 with a double and a home run in her first game against rival WMU.
“I felt pretty good,” Knapp said. “It helps everyone else in the lineup has been doing good lately too and everyone is picking each other up. That kind of gets my momentum going and get the hits going too."
CMU finished 4-of-11 with runners in scoring position and 5-of-12 with two outs.
WMU senior Anissa Sanchez pitched two 2/3 innings, surrendering three runs off six hits and one walk. Senior Holly Vantilburg went four 1/3 innings in relief, allowing two runs off four hits while walking two and striking out one.
The Bronco’s bottom six hitters in the lineup went a combined 1-of-14 with one RBI, while their top three hitters went 4-of-9 with an RBI.
CMU hosts Buffalo for a three game series starting at 3 p.m. April 6, with a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday starting at 1 p.m.
