CMU softball splits doubleheader at Kent State
Central Michigan softball split a doubleheader between Kent State in Kent, Ohio Tuesday afternoon.
The Chippewas lost the first game 7-6, before taking game two 11-2.
CMU now sits at 15-29 overall, and 12-10 in Mid-American Conference competition.
Game 1
The Chippewas started the matchup with a three-run lead. Junior Maddie Springer filed out to center field with a sacrificial out that brought in senior right fielder Michaleigh Vallimont in the top of the second inning.
Redshirt senior second baseman Skylar Coberley hit a home run to center field to bring in the second run of the day for the Chippewas.
Junior Allyssa Hollo followed suit, hitting a home run of her own in the top of the third inning.
Hollo continued her impressive batting performance with a single up the middle in the top of the fourth, bringing in Coberley and senior center fielder Abbey Tolmie.
The Golden Flashes added four runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth to close in on CMU, 5-4 going into the fifth inning.
The Chippewas scored no runs in the top of the fifth, as Kent State lengthened its lead 7-4 in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs.
Despite a late home run by Coberley in the top of the sixth, Kent State pulled away with game one 7-6.
Senior pitcher Grace Lehto took a loss for CMU making her overall record 8-16. Lehto pitched 4.1 innings striking out two and facing 21 batters.
Sophomore Cierra Laska closed out game one for the Chippewas walking one, striking out one, and facing seven batters.
Game 2
Central Michigan closed out the day with an 11-2 win over the Golden Flashes.
Kent State was the first to score in the bottom of the second inning, but that would be its only runs of the game.
Sophomore pitcher Mackenzie Langan pitched a complete game for the Chippewas. Langan struck out six, walked two, and allowed one hit on 21 batters.
The Chippewas scored five runs in the top of the third. Freshman catcher Carly Sleeman was reached on a fielder’s choice that brought in Springer.
Coberley singled to left field bringing in freshman designated player Rachel Cairo.
Hollo continued her day with a double to left center, Coberley scored off of an error by Kent State’s third baseman. Sleeman also scored.
The Chippewas had a big top of the sixth, scoring six more runs on the day. Hollo homered to left field to start off the scoring.
Abbey Tolmie singled to left field, bringing in senior pinch runner Tailynn Knapp.
Continuing the scoring was Cairo, who reached on a fielder’s choice which brought in Springer. Sleeman filed out to right field bringing in Abbey Tolmie.
The Chippewas have one final MAC series this weekend against Ball State at Margo Jonker Stadium starting on Saturday at 1 p.m.
