Softball's season ends with loss against Western Michigan in MAC Tournament
Western Michigan: 2 | Central Michigan: 0
Runs were hard to come by for the Central Michigan softball team during the 2016 Mid-American Conference Tournament, as was the case on Thursday.
The Chippewas lost their second game of the MAC Tournament 2-0 against in-state rival Western Michigan at Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio. After losing to top-seeded Kent State on Wednesday, the second loss eliminates CMU from the tournament and ends the team's season.
The Chippewas were held to just two hits on the day, bringing their tournament hit total to six. The team did not register a run during the tournament. Western Michigan tallied seven hits.
The Bronco's two runs came in the top of the third inning when junior pitcher Erin Binkowski laced a double off the outfield fence, scoring one Bronco and moving another into scoring position. The next Bronco batter up, sophomore catcher Gabby Schefka, singled to bring in another WMU run, making the score 2-0.
Junior pitcher Rachael Knapp (14-14) toed the rubber once again for the Chippewas, striking out 11 Broncos, allowing seven hits and two earned runs.
CMU showed signs of life in the bottom of the final inning, but stranded two batters on base after a strikeout by junior infielder Taylor Lewallen.
The game was postponed by one hour due to a rain delay. The game began at 11:30 a.m.
CMU's final record is 24-27-1, going 9-3-1 at home, 6-12 on the road and 11-11-1 in MAC play.
Stay with CM Life for comment from Head Coach Margo Jonker and players.
