Softball swept by Ohio to open MAC play
Weather finally cooperated as Central Michigan softball dropped three road games to Ohio this weekend in its opening Mid-American Conference series.
CMU dropped both games March 23 — 4-3 in game one and 8-5 game two. The Chippewas fell 5-1 in the series finale.
The Chippewas now hold a 9-15 record (0-3 MAC). Ohio improves to 14-12 (3-0 MAC).
Starters Struggle
In game one, senior starting pitcher Hanna Warren faced only four batters before being pulled. The senior failed to record an out while allowing three runs (two earned) off three hits. Junior Laura Vaccaro pitched six innings in relief, allowing one earned run off five hits, walking one and striking out two Bobcats.
Ohio added one more run in the second, but failed to cross home plate in the final four innings. CMU scored one run off a Shaidan Knapp home run and added two runs in the seventh off junior Kayla Noch's two-run home run to left field.
Noch and junior Erika Underwood each went 2-of-3 at the plate, they were responsible for four of the Chippewas' six hits.
Ohio’s Madi McCrady allowed three earned runs off six hits, with three walks while striking out four Chippewas. Kendal Meeks recorded her first save of the season, retiring CMU in order while striking out one.
Pitching woes continued into game two. Senior Taylor Weaver lasted two-thirds inning, allowing four earned runs off five hits, two of which cleared the outfield fence during Ohio’s four-run first inning. Vaccaro entered again in relief, tossing three innings while allowing one run off five hits, striking out two Bobcats.
Freshmen Cloe Mallory and Samantha Howell combined for two and one-third innings, allowing three runs off six hits, walking and striking out one Bobcat.
Sophomore Morgan Gardner went two for three with two RBI’s. Junior Allison Curtis also went two for three, crossing home plate once.
CMU entered the fifth inning trailing 5-1, until a four run rally tied the gave 5-5 midway through the fifth. Ohio would score three unanswered runs in the sixth inning to take the lead and eventually the game 8-5.
Ohio’s Michaela Dorsey went a flawless 4-of-4 at the plate, driving in two runs and scoring twice.
Tough Hitting
CMU scored one run off five hits in Saturday’s series finale. Ohio’s Madi McCrady allowed four hits and one run in five innings, striking out four Chippewas. Meeks pitched the final two inning for the Bobcats, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one.
Ohio pounced early for the third straight game, scoring two runs in the opening inning. The Bobcats would add another run in the third inning and two more off a Mikayla Cooper two-run home run in the sixth.
Vaccaro pitched five and one third innings, allowing five runs off six hits, walking four Bobcats while failing to earn a strike three call.
Underwood finished 1-of-two at the plate, scoring Lacey Tolfree for CMU’s lone run.
CMU softball hosts their first 2018 home game at Margo Jonker Stadium Wednesday, March 27 for a doubleheader with Valparaiso. Game one starts at 2 p.m., game two starts at approximately 4 p.m.
