Preview: Softball hosts Ohio for three-game series in two days
Head Coach of the Central Michigan Women's Softball Team Margo Jonker speaks with senior catcher Kayla Noch during a Western Michigan mound visit April 2 at Margo Jonker Stadium.
A doubleheader full of disparity against Western Michigan on April 2 saw the Central Michigan softball team earn a split in its Mid-American Conference home opener at Margo Jonker Stadium.
The Chippewas (13-18-1, 4-3-1 MAC) dropped the first game, 12-5, to the Broncos and won the second game, 11-3. Sophomore left fielder Shaidan Knapp led the way for CMU in the second game with two triples in the first two innings.
Knapp said she found the focus to help her team rebound after a poor showing in the first game.
"I knew I got to start the game off strong," Knapp said. I've got to get something rolling for us."
She found herself in the leadoff position in the game and executed well against the arch rival Broncos.
Knapp now leads the team with a .341 batting average and three triples so far this year to go along with 30 hits.
Senior first baseman Erika Underwood has a .333 batting average, second best on the team. She also shares the lead in home runs with freshman infielder Shannon Stein at six round-trippers apiece.
CMU currently sits in sixth position in the MAC standings at 2.5 games behind leader Ball State. The Cardinals come into Mount Pleasant for a three game series on April 26 and 27. That series will be the only meeting between the two teams in the regular season.
The Chippewas now entertain Ohio for a three-game series in two days, April 5-6, in Margo Jonker Stadium.
After a doubleheader of their own against Kent State, the Bobcats (25-12, 6-2 MAC) find themselves in second place in the MAC standings behind the Cardinals. Ohio also acts as the defending regular season and tournament champions in the conference.
Currently, Ohio boasts a MAC-best .310 batting average including 51 home runs. Its top hitter is sophomore Katie Yun who has a .420 batting average to go along with 11 home runs. Her teammate, senior Morgan Geno, leads the MAC with 15 home runs. Yun ranks second in the conference in that category.
As for pitching, the Bobcats have a 3.40 team earned run average, which is good for third in the conference.
For the Chippewas, they will most likely turn to freshman Kaitlyn Bean in game one of the series, which is slated for 3 p.m. April 5. She leads the CMU pitching staff with a 4-3 record and a 3.73 ERA.
"We're looking for this to be a very competitive series," said head coach Margo Jonker. "They've had a nice start to the season and we want to be on the top of our game, just like we are for every game."
The doubleheader for games two and three between the Chippewas and Bobcats is set to begin at 1 p.m. April 6.
