The CMU softball team opened up the 2000 season this weekend but struggled in a tournament hosted by UNLV, winning only one of five games.
Sunday
CMU 1, Loyola Marymount 0
Central star pitcher Tina Kinney hurled a one-hitter and struck out nine batters in seven innings to lead the Chippewas to their first win of the 2000 season.
Designated hitter Nicole Weston had the only CMU RBI on the day, a run-scoring single in the sixth that scored Kinney.
Saturday
UNLV 2, CMU 1
Wendy Stephens was strong for the Chips, allowing only one hit, but committed a throwing error in the bottom of the fifth allowing both UNLV runs to score.
Central’s lone run came in the top half of the fifth when a Jen Skuta triple scored Michelle Brander.
Becky Manson and Kim Burke picked up the only other
CMU hits.
Oregon State 6, CMU 1
A RBI single by Tina Kinney and a hit for Hope Robertshaw were the only offense Central could muster.
OSU jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Kinney and then broke it open with three more in the fourth and one in the sixth.
The Beavers roughed up Kinney for nine hits, while OSU hurler Crystal Draper fanned five Chips.
Friday
California 9, CMU 1
Kinney got the Chips started on the right foot with an RBI double in the first inning, one of her two hits.
Cal’s Mikella Redetti blew it open though with a three-run homer in the second inning, giving Cal a lead it did not relinquish.
Freshman Jenni Rasmussen started for CMU and gave up five earned runs in just over two innings of work.
Portland State 6, CMU 5
Kinney was rocked for six runs and six hits in the Chips opening game.
CMU didn’t die though and its rally from a 6-0 deficit almost helped pull out the win.
Nicole Weston led CMU at the plate going 2-for-4. Amy Morrison and Manson also picked up RBIs for the Chippewas.
Central now takes off two weeks before its next game, which is the Spring Break Tournament March 5-12 in California.

E-mail the author: Jeremy StephensLIFE Assistant Sports Editor