CMU falls in late rally against Kent State, wins overall weekend series
Senior pitcher Rachael Knapp pitches the ball to a Kent State player on April 2 at Margo Jonker Stadium.
After 11 innings of battle between senior pitchers Rachael Knapp and Ronnie Ladines which resulted in a 1-0 win for the Central Michigan softball team yesterday, the two dueled again this afternoon.
This time, it was Ladines who found a way to get the job done.
CMU (19-10 overall, 4-2 Mid-American Conference) fell to the Golden Flashes 3-2, as Ladines (5-11) allowed seven hits while striking out four hitters. Knapp (11-6) struck out 13 batters while walking three, and only allowed three hits but picked up the loss.
Knapp said she felt good for a majority of the day but just had a couple instances in particular that cost the team a weekend sweep over the Golden Flashes.
“I thought we were pretty sharp for most of the day until the I walked a couple batters late and it cost us,” Knapp said. “It was bad with (Maddy) Grimm coming up and they just got a timely hit. We are still feeling good and will look to take the positives out of this game moving into the one against Western (Michigan).”
The loss dropped the Chippewas to second place in the MAC West standings, where they are tied with Northern Illinois. Ball State now leads the MAC West at 5-1 in the conference.
Head coach Margo Jonker said the way the contest played out was disappointing.
“We’re obviously not happy to lose this game," Jonker said. "We had more hits than they did, but they got the timely hits and that was the difference between the two ball games. The second walk Knapp had was semi-intentional because Grimm had beat us all series, but Underwood came up big for them.”
After a scoreless first inning, it was Ladines who supported her own cause with a home run to lead off the second inning that just carried out over the left field wall to give Kent State the early 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third inning, CMU started a threat with a bunt and bloop single, and it resulted in runs for the Chippewas. Junior catcher Maison Kalina hit a sharp single back up the middle, which scored junior left fielder Lacy Tolfree.
After that sequence, Kalina stole second base, and on the throw down, Kent State freshman second baseman bobbled the ball which gave Curtis enough time to run home and score on the error, giving CMU a 2-1 advantage heading to the fourth inning.
After a pair of scoreless innings for both teams, Kent State struck back with there resurgence in the top of the sixth inning.
Knapp walked back-to-back Golden Flash hitters to start the inning, and sophomore left fielder Bailey Brownfield came through with a double in the left field gap to knock in a pair of runs, giving Kent State the 3-2 lead.
Ladines was able to cruise through her final two frames to complete the victory for the Golden Flashes. CMU still won the weekend series with Kent State 2-1 after the Chippewas sweep of the Golden Flashes on Saturday.
The Chippewas totaled seven hits, with two of those coming from Kalina who led her squad knocking in one of CMU’s two runs for the game.
On the other side, it was Ladines with the home run and Brownfield with the other big hit for the Golden Flashes. Brownfield went 1-for-2 but her double totaled two runs batted in for Kent State, and was eventually the difference in the game.
Jonker said Western Michigan won’t be any easier as the Chippewas move forward into the conference portion of the season.
“Western (Michigan) is a tough team (because) they usually hit the ball really well,” Jonker said. “They are struggling a bit right now, but I saw them over spring break sometimes rocket the ball and other times they didn't know where it was at, so we anticipate some tough games, hopefully the nice weather holds up.”
CMU finished its eight-game homestand with a 5-3 record, and will now head back on the road for five total games.
Senior right fielder Evelyn Lorimer said the team just needs to improve in a few areas as they head back on the road.
“We are going to work on hitting a little bit and we will work on defense and sharpen a couple things up,” Lorimer said. “I have no doubts going to Western, they are one of our rivals obviously, so we are going to pick ourselves up and be ready for a fight Tuesday.”
The Chippewas start the road set against their rival Western Michigan in a double-header on Tuesday. The first game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. from Kalamazoo.
