CMU softball claws back, splits double-header with Toledo
The Central Michigan University softball team defeats rival team Western Michigan in a double header in Margo Jonker Stadium on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The team wins the games 13-0 and 8-0. (CM Life | Jasmine Brookins)
Looking to bounce back after suffering a loss in game one, Central Michigan softball led 3-0 over Toledo in the top of the sixth inning in game two Tuesday, when Carly Sleeman took the batters box with one runner on base.
Sleeman stepped up to the plate and crushed the ball over the wall in right field for the two-run homerun, extending the lead to five and giving the Chippewas the chance to run away with the second game of the double-header.
The split sets CMU's record at 20-19 on the season, and 12-5 in Mid-American Conference play.
Game 1
The team in maroon and gold wasted no time putting a run on the scoreboard with, freshman London Williams launching a solo homerun to right field, gifting the Chippewas a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.
The Rockets responded instantly with a double from senior shortstop Eli Enriquez, putting a runner on second before a sacrifice bunt advanced her to third.
Senior outfielder Kendra VanderLugt was the next batter up, and she quickly belted a single to left center field, leveling the score at one run each as the inning closed.
Toledo refused to take its foot off of the gas after retiring CMU's batters in the top of the second, tacking on two more runs in the bottom of the inning to jump out to a 3-1 lead.
CMU struggled to put runners on base, allowing the Rockets to further extend its lead in the bottom of the third with a series of doubles making the score 5-1.
The team from Ohio scored again for the fourth straight inning, growing the lead to 7-1 before the Chippewas had an answer.
A strong series for Central Michigan in the top of the fifth inning cut the deficit to four, but it was too late, and Toledo closed the first game out 7-3.
Game 2
CMU started game two quickly, loading the bases and taking a 1-0 lead. But the Chippewas were unable to capitalize further, and Toledo escaped the inning with al three Central Michigan runners stranded.
Both squads struggled to put wood on the ball headed into the top of the third inning, but that changed when back-to-back Chippewa singles put runners on first and third.
CMU ultimately profited from a wild pitch that allowed pinch runner Ashley Bila to reach home, making the score 2-0.
The game stayed close, as both offenses went stagnant until the top of the sixth inning, when the Chippewas strung together seven consecutive runs on seven hits, jumping out to a dominant 9-0 lead.
Toledo's Samantha Bolding tried to keep her team alive, launching a three-run shot in the bottom of the sixth; but that was as close as it got. The inning closed 9-3 in favor of CMU.
An RBI from Allyssa Hollo in the top of the seventh tacked an extra run on for good measure, and the Chippewas took game two in convincing fashion -- a 10-3 blow out.
CMU softball is back in Mount Pleasant Friday to take on Bowling Green in a three-game weekend series. Game one is slated for 3 p.m. April 18 at Thenuissen Stadium.
