CMU softball Zips past Akron in dramatic home opener
Central Michigan University freshman outfielder Tori Briggs hits the ball preparing to run to first base in Margo Jonker Stadium on Friday, March 21, 2025. (CM-Life | Jasmine Brookins)
Heading into the bottom of the sixth in game one of a double-header, CMU softball trailed Akron 13-3 in desperate need of any offensive momentum.
A homerun from sophomore Rachel Cairo set the tone for the rest of the inning as CMU was able to string together nine straight runs to cut the deficit to one.
Akron responded with two runs of its own, but the momentum that the Chippewas had gained was too much and a pair of home runs in the bottom of the seventh secured the win for Central Michigan.
The momentum continued to the second game where it won 9-6, bringing the team to 10-15 on the season.
Game 1
The first game of the double-header started with Akron's Sophia Wygast launching a two-run home run in the top of the first taking a 2-0 lead.
Carly Sleeman responds with a home run into left field to cut the deficit to one.
The Zips took control over the game in the top of the third inning, scoring six runs to give Akron the 8-1 lead headed into the bottom of the third.
Central Michigan once again responded with London Williams drilling a two run shot over the wall in left field, allowing the Chippewas to cut the deficit to five.
After two scoreless innings the squad from Akron was able to extend its lead by three, taking a 13-3 lead into the bottom of the sixth.
With only two innings remaining, CMU needed a strong offensive performance to rally for a victory, when Cairo crushed a solo home run into center field to swing the momentum back in favor of the Chippewas.
Central Michigan was able to capitalize on a rough defensive inning for the Zips, allowing the team from Mount Pleasant to score nine straight, making the score 13-12 in favor of Akron by the end of the sixth inning.
Akron attempted to regain control of the game with two home runs in the top of the seventh adding two to its lead, but the Chippewas bats were red hot and a home run from Keira Tolmie secured the 16-15 victory for CMU.
Game 2
Central Michigan wasted no time getting on the scoreboard with Allyssa Hollo grounding into a sacrifice RBI to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first.
The Chippewas retired three straight batters in the top of the second before Emma Lotus batted in Grace Koenig for the teams second run in the bottom of the second, extending the lead to two.
The Zips refused to go down without a fight, putting a runner on first and third base with only one out in the top of the third inning. A sacrifice ground out sent the runner home, putting Akron on the scoreboard, still trailing 2-1.
However, Akron was not finished, driving in three more runs to take its first lead of the second game, jumping ahead 4-2.
CMU tied the game at four after Sleeman hit a single into right field allowing Tolmie and Maddison Diekman to cross home plate while also advancing Tori Briggs to third base.
Briggs also found home plate, retaking a 5-4 lead for Central Michigan.
The Chippewas surrendered a run in the top of the fifth after Sydney Selker hit a two-run home run down the left field line to reclaim a 6-5 lead for the team from Akron.
The squad from Mount Pleasant immediately tied the game in the bottom of the fifth, capitalizing off of another error from Akron that allowed Koenig to reach home.
CMU wasn't done, scoring three more runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 9-6 lead, which it would maintain for the rest of the game, allowing Central Michigan to triumph over Akron.
The final game of the series scheduled for Saturday; March 22 was canceled due to cold temperatures. CMU softball is back on the road, traveling to East Lansing to take on Michigan State at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 26.
