'We're fired up:' CMU softball ready to begin its season
Central Michigan softball begins its non-conference push with a variety of freshmen and veterans preparing to make their mark on the 2025 season.
“I think team 47 has a lot of great pieces,” head coach McCall Salmon said. “We’re excited, no pun intended, but we’re fired up. I think we’re in a good spot.”
CMU was projected to be ranked fifth in the Mid-American Conference pre-season poll.
A few positions will see some new faces, including on the mound. CMU lost decorated pitcher Grace Lehto, who was a workhorse for the team in her time at Central Michigan, to graduation.
Pitching will see a variety of returners and one freshman for the Chippewas. Freshman Madison Wendel, senior Madelyn Wallace, redshirt sophomore Mackenzie Langan, sophomore Brooklyn Compau and junior Cierra Laska.
“One thing that is exciting about them is they all complement each other really well,” Salmon said. “Their ability to throw high velocity and then bring in maybe a slower speed, but tons of spin, really just exciting to see the off balance that they could provide.”
16 freshmen and sophomores are on Central Michigan’s roster this season.
One sophomore returner who provided key help for the Chippewas last season was catcher Carly Sleeman.
“Not only did Carly have a fantastic year at the plate last year, she also has the ability to steal a lot strikes behind the plate,” Salmon said.
Sleeman led the team with 30 RBIs last season and was named to the MAC All-Freshman team.
“Our freshmen, they’re key pieces that I think can fill in certain areas and have embraced the opportunity,” Salmon said. “I just think across the board, our returners teaching the newbies, expectations, standards of this program, and then wanting to raise that standard every single day.”
Along with Sleeman, senior Allyssa Hollo is a seasoned veteran who adds leadership to the team.
“Our senior class is really strong,” Hollo said. “We’ve pushed ourselves to create a foundation for the underclassmen….there’s so many underclassmen who came in, and they’ve honestly surprised the heck out of all of us. They’re a really good freshman class, and even our sophomores are outstanding.
Central Michigan will take the field for the first time Friday in Troy, Alabama, competing in the Trojan Classic with its first game against North Texas at 10 a.m.
