Softball opens MAC season at home
It has been nearly two weeks since Central Michigan University’s softball team played a game.
It has been even longer since the Chippewas have played with senior shortstop CarolAnn Sexauer in the lineup.
Head Coach Margo Jonker said Thursday Sexauer will miss the remainder of the season due to injury.
Sexauer played in only nine games this season, hitting .345 and posting slugging percentage of .448.
Meanwhile, CMU opens the Mid-American Conference season as well as their first set of games at home. The Chippewas’ double-header against Valparaiso University on Wednesday was cancelled due to inclement weather.
“We didn’t want that kind of time off. Now, we’ve had too much time off,” Jonker said. “We spent quite a bit of energy this week on potential games that may or may not be happening.”
CMU heads into a double-header at 1 p.m. on Friday against Miami University (Ohio) with a record of 8-13 on the season.
Ball State University comes to Mount Pleasant at 2 p.m. on Saturday before closing out the weekend at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
As a team, CMU owns a collective batting average of .250 as they head into this weekend’s set of games.
The Chippewas did not face the RedHawks during a nonconference tournament earlier this season, but Jonker said CMU got a chance to see MU’s talent.
“They looked very solid,” Jonker said. “Last year we struggled with them. We had a really bad day out there at Oxford.”
CMU freshman left fielder Lacy Tolfree will be playing in her first game at Margo Jonker Stadium on Friday.
“There (are) not really any nerves. We played in the fall, so those nerves are kind of gone,” Tolfree said. “This is what I love, so I don’t really have any nerves.”
Senior third baseman Trista Cox reflected on her first few home games at CMU during practice this week.
“I probably have a lot more maturity subconsciously,” Cox said. “It feels the same. I have the same butterflies and I’m excited.”
Tolfree and Cox both have managed a batting average of .306 and are the only two players to have appeared in all 21 games.
Tolfree has stolen 10 bases on 12 attempts, while Cox has driven in 12 runs, which leads the team.
As Tolfree continues to post impressive numbers, she said he support system is keeping her opportunities to contribute to Jonker’s team in perspective.
“My teammates, coaches and even my parents have really helped a lot with keeping me under control,” Tolfree said. “It is something really overwhelming and exciting to be able to lead off for this team as a Division I athlete.”
