CMU softball comes up short against Michigan
Central Michigan University softball helmet and glove lay in the batter's box before the game in Margo Jonker Stadium, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (CM-Life | Alivia Cranick)
With one out in the bottom of the second inning, Central Michigan softball trailed Michigan 1-2 as the Wolverines pitcher Erin Hoehn took the batter's box with a runner on first and second base.
Hoehn got a hold of a pitch, sending the ball over the wall in centerfield for a three-run home run to extend the Wolverines lead to four.
The deficit was too much to overcome for the Chippewas, and the squad in maize and blue walked away with the 6-2 victory.
The loss puts CMU at 16-18 on the season.
The game started with Michigan putting runners on second and third base with no outs in the bottom of the first inning, threatening to score quickly as Central Michigan struggled to find an answer for the Wolverines starting order.
The team from Ann Arbor quickly put the first run on the board with right fielder Ella Stephenson hitting a single to right field, advancing both runners for an RBI.
A sacrifice fly brought the second runner home, taking the 2-0 lead for Michigan as the inning ended.
CMU wasted no time responding with Allyssa Hollo ripping a double down the third base line to start the top of the second.
Tori Briggs quickly advanced Hollo to third with a base hit to left field, putting the Chippewas in scoring position with zero outs.
Keira Tolmie hit a sacrifice fly into foul territory in left field, allowing Hollo to reach home plate, cutting the deficit in half to make the score 1-2.
However, the lead was short lived as Michigan pitcher Hoehn ripped a three-run shot in the bottom of the second to centerfield, making the score 5-1 in favor of the Wolverines.
The Wolverines tacked on another run in the bottom of the fourth, with a triple from Jenissa Conway batting in Indiana Langford, making the score 6-1
Central Michigan attempted to respond in the top of the seventh inning, after a throwing error allowed pinch hitter Ashely Bila to reach third base.
Emma Lotus hit a sacrifice out, allowing Bila to reach home to cut the deficit to 4, but it was too late for the Chippewas, and Michigan closed the final inning to win 6-2.
CMU softball will be back at Margo Jonker Stadium to continue Mid-American Conference play at 3 p.m. on Friday to take on the 7-28 Kent State Golden Flashes.
