Softball struggles to score runs in double-header with host USF
Softball struggled at the plate as it scored two runs in the double-header against host University of South Florida as it lost 2-1 and 4-1 on Wednesday.
A pitching duel between USF ace Lindsay Richardson and senior Kara Dornbos kept the first contest at a standstill.
Richardson was hot, striking out eight and only allowing two hits in the 4.2 innings she was in the circle. The Chippewas struggled to find a groove, going hitless in six innings.
CMU was averaging more than four runs per game heading into Tuesday night's game against Penn State, where it scored seven, but could not recapture this offensive efficiency.
Dornbos pitched a full game giving up one earned run and four hits while striking out three batters.
The Bulls started out on top in the bottom of the second scoring one run when lead off hitter Kenshyra Jackson hit her second home run of the season to left field.
The Chippewas responded quickly to tie up the game in the top of the third. Freshman Trista Cox singled up the middle to start the inning. Junior Lauren Bowman ran for Cox, and advanced to third on a fielding error by a USF second baseman.
Senior Summer Knoop brought Bowman home with a single to right field to tie the game 1-1, but it wouldn't last as the Bulls countered with a run in the bottom of the third.
Neither team would score again, deadlocking the game after three innings as the Chippewas surrendered game one 2-1.
At the plate, CMU had a much easier time connecting with the ball against a trio of USF pitchers, but was ultimately unable to convert that into runs falling in game two 4-1.
Junior Brittney Horan started off the game with a bang, hitting her first home run of the season to centerfield to score the lone run. The team loaded the bases after Knoop and junior Cory DeLamielleure singled with two outs but ended empty-handed when Cox grounded into a fielder’s choice.
South Florida had little trouble answering in the bottom of the inning with three runs, taking the lead where it would stay for the duration of the game.
With runners on first and third, Jackson hit her second home run of the day to left-center knocking in three runs to put her team up 3-1.
The Chippewas would come close to scoring in the fourth after Cox and sophomore Lauren Smith got on with one out, but were put down quickly. They had another chance in the sixth with runners on second and third when USF pitcher Nevins struck out two batters in a row to close the game.
Central Michigan will be off Thursday before taking the field Friday, March 8 against Wagner and Fordham in back-to-back games.
