Tracy Kaatz needs only four more steals to move into the top five in career steals at CMU.

The junior center fielder has 30 steals this season, giving her 56 for her career. Kaatz and the softball team will travel to Oakland University for a 3 p.m. Tuesday doubleheader.

“Because we are coming off a loss, we need to get our momentum back before heading back into MAC play,” Kaatz said. “This game is going to be a great momentum builder because we are going to get out and win.”

Central lost its last game to Akron 5-3 Sunday. The loss broke a four-game winning streak in which the Chippewas shut out two opponents.

“We have to go on the road and win games, period,” said coach Margo Jonker.

Oakland (13-18 overall, 5-8 Summit Conference) has struggled with stealing bases. The 26 stolen bases by the Grizzlies this season is four fewer then Kaatz’s total.

“We need to go over there and play really well,” Jonker said. “Then we have to go from there and get back to the conference. This gives a few games to do some things and hopefully play really well.”

OU has struck out 203 times and has only 202 hits at the plate. The Golden Grizzlies’ pitchers have been able to strike out only 155 batters.

Oakland is coming off a 4-2 loss Saturday to South Dakota State. The Golden Grizzlies are 0-14 in games when they score two runs or less. However, they are undefeated when they hit two or more home runs in one game.

Oakland will be the last non-conference opponents for the Chippewas before the Mid-American Conference Championships.

“Every game is important in our schedule,” Jonker said. “We go on the field to win every single game and give it our best effort.”

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