Softball gets blanked in opening double header

The Central Michigan softball team lost its first two games of the season Friday in Tempe, Ariz without scoring a run.

The Chippewas fell to Minnesota 2-0 and Arizona State 7-0.

CMU and Minnesota were tied going into the seventh inning before the Golden Gophers scored two runs in the top of the frame.  Minnesota freshman Hannah Granger singled in the game-winning run.

Junior Kara Dornbos gave the Chippewas a solid pitching performance, allowing two runs in seven innings.  She also struck out  six Golden Gophers.

“She was very confident in her pitches,” head coach Margo Jonker said.  “I thought she pitched very well.”

But the offense struggled to get on base as Minnesota pitcher Sara Moulton stymied CMU hitters, only giving up one hit in a complete-game shutout.  She struck out six while issuing just two walks.

“Our offense was taking too many pitches,” Jonker said.  “We need to be more aggressive and work on our pitch selection.”

Senior Ashley Gibson had the lone hit for CMU.

In game two, Arizona State scored a run in the top of the first and added two more in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.  Freshman Elizabeth Caporuscio had two RBI’s on two hits, including a homerun.  Three errors by the Chippewas proved to be costly, as they all led to runs by the Gophers.

“We competed well,” Jonker said.  “You take away a few pitches here and there then we are right in the ball game.”

CMU had six hits but were unable to push a run across home plate.  Freshmen Macy Merchant and Brittney Horan led the team with two hits each.

The Chippwas will face Iowa at noon and Illinois at 2 p.m. Saturday.