Softball breezes past rival Western Michigan in doubleheader showdown
Albuquerque junior Shannon Stein rounds second base April 3 at Margo Jonker Stadium.
Arch-rival Western Michigan arrived to Margo Jonker Stadium for a mid-week Mid-American Conference doubleheader, the only 2021 matchup between WMU and CMU.
In a winner-take-all showdown, the Chippewas reigned supreme on home turf.
The Chippewas (11-21, 9-13) swept the Broncos (10-22, 6-12) at Margo Jonker Stadium in a doubleheader, claiming the first game 7-1 and the second 7-2.
Between two games, pitchers Cloe Mallory, Grace Lehto and Kaitlyn Bean only allowed three runs on 16 hits and delivered six strikeouts.
"I really want to give our pitching staff a plug," said head coach McCall Salmon. "I really think overall, Chloe, Grace and Bean, really working together as a unit, complimented each other well and all got the job done accordingly on the mound; I was really proud of our pitchers today."
Salmon said that she emphasized being patient on the plate to her team while taking on the Broncos, as the team often tosses walks. WMU induced nine walks in the first game and four in the second, allowing the Chippewas' patience to pay off.
Game one
With strong pressure from the circle and a keen eye for freebies, the Chippewas stomped the Broncos 7-1 in game one.
CMU immediately earned a run in the first, Abbie Tolmie scoring on an error at right field.
Between two pitchers, the Broncos allowed five walks in the bottom of the third, resulting in two CMU runs via bases loaded walks. A sacrifice fly from Kelsey Alexander advanced the Chippewas' lead to 4-0.
WMU claimed three singles in the top of the fourth to load bases, scoring Courtney Farrish on a groundout to put a run on the board.
Withe the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth, Emily Bracamonte ripped a base-clearing double to left center for three runs, further ensuring victory for the Chippewas. Pitcher Grace Lehto cruised through the final two frames, amounting a series of fly-outs and groundouts to keep the Broncos off the bags.
Cloe Mallory carved out three scoreless innings in the circle, allowing only one run in the fourth. The senior pitcher struck out three, giving up five hits and two walks.
Lehto stepped in for the final three innings, allowing just two hits and one walk and a strikeout.
Game two
The Chippewas wasted no time to start hitting big, utilizing back-to-back outfield doubles from Tolmie and Shannon Stein to score two runs.
WMU catcher Logan Carter cracked an opportunity single to center field for two runs in the bottom of the fourth, tying the game at 2-2.
Back-to-back singles in the bottom of the fifth put shortstop Morgan Gardner and Tolmie on base, and third single by Stein scored Gardner. Caitlyn Britton took a walk behind a keen eye to load the bases. Tolmie was found out at home upon Alexander's single, but another bases loaded walk tacked on another CMU run.
The inning wasn't through yet. Second basewoman Skylar Coberley ensured a secure lead for the Chippewas, doubling to left center to clear the bases and extend the score to 7-2.
Kaitlyn Bean tossed five innings, giving up two runs off seven hits and one walk. The junior right-hander induced one strikeout, but a combination of clean pitches resulted in 10 flyouts and three groundouts.
Lehto stepped back in for Bean to pitch the final two innings, striking the first Bronco out swinging. A single slipped past but the fielding trio of Gardner, Coberley and Stein turned the following grounder into a double play, denying WMU more time at bat. Another series of fly-outs and groundouts via Lehto's pitches slammed the door for the rival and finalized the sweep.
Up next
After winning five of their last seven games, the Chippewas will step away from their home turf and take on Kent State (16-19, 12-9) at the Diamond at Dix for a weekend series, beginning at 3 p.m. on Friday.
"Using today's doubleheader sweep as momentum moving into the weekend, we saw some quality things on the mound and our defense is making plays that we need to make," Salmon said. "Tomorrow in practice we're going to focus on getting in the reps that we need in order to prepare for what's at task at Kent State."
"We know that they're a great team, we just need to be ready to stay clean offensively, defensively on the mound, and good things will happen."
