Softball splits doubleheader against Buffalo, remains tied for first atop MAC West
It took 12 innings for Buffalo to beat the CMU softball team in the second game of a doubleheader Friday to split the two-game series.
CMU shut out its opponents 7-0 in the first game before losing the second 4-3 to stand tied with Ball State for first place in the Mid-American Conference West Division.
A pitcher's dual between freshman Kara Dornbos and sophomore Terese Diaz kept the game scoreless through the first six innings.
“In game two we didn’t have the offense we had in game one and that was really important. Having a lack of runs hurt our momentum throughout the game,” Dornbos said.
CMU (25-14, 11-5 MAC) got on the scoreboard in the seventh inning. A fielding error allowed freshman Summer Knoop to reach second and a single by sophomore Rachel Hensel moved the runner to third. Another UB error allowed both runners to come home to take a 2-0 lead.
Buffalo (17-30, 5-11) rallied back with two outs in the bottom of the inning, getting a double and back-to-back singles to tie the game and force extra innings.
The pitching dual continued into the 11th inning when each team posted a two-out run to increase the score to 3-3.
CMU loaded the bases in the 12th, but stranded all three runners, which ended up costing it the game. Junior pitcher Kara Seddon came in to relieve Dornbos in the 12th, and allowed one hit that scored the go-ahead run for Buffalo to end the game.
Dornbos pitched the first 11 innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hitsand striking out four. Diaz won the dual, allowing three runs (one earned) on seven hits, while striking out 10 CMU batters.
Game 1
Senior outfielder Christina Novak started off the day with a lead-off home run in Game 1, proving to be the game-winner as CMU defeated Buffalo 7-0.
Junior Kari Seddon prevented Buffalo from starting quick, as she struck out the first three straight batters. She finished the game with nine strike outs, and gave up five hits to improve to 14-7.
The Chippewas added two runs in the second inning and pulled away further in the fifth by scoring three more.
The team will look to rebound from the extra innings loss at 2 p.m. Saturday in Kent, Ohio, against MAC East-leading Kent State (25-18, 12-4 MAC).
