Chippewas split nonconference doubleheader against Detroit Mercy


womenssoftballapril9-1

Senior infielder Rachel Vieira helps the Central Michigan Women's Softball Team turns a double play against Michigan State April 9 at Margo Jonker Stadium. 

Central Michigan’s softball team split a nonconference doubleheader against the Detroit Mercy Titans on April 13. 

The one win, one loss effort leaves CMU with a record of 17-21-1 on the season.

CMU coach Margo Jonker was unhappy with some of the mistakes her team made. 

“We won the game, but we weren’t sharp," Jonker said. "Game two was very sloppy; we played bad softball.”

Game One

The Chippewas took the opener behind a nice performance in the circle by Samantha Howell, where she allowed eight hits while striking out two. The performance moved Howell to a season win-loss record to 5-6.

On the offensive end, CMU rode its hot bats, as it finished with 10 hits. 

The Chippewas took the lead in the fourth inning behind a bunt single that knocked home a run. The lead was stretched to three runs after senior Erika Underwood hit her seventh home run of the season in the fifth frame, which ties Shannon Stein for the team lead in home runs. 

Underwood finished with two hits and two RBIs, while Sara Hansen notched a triple and scored two runs.

Detroit Mercy threatened in the sixth but failed to plate a run as they stranded two. The Titans scored two runs in the seventh inning to bring the score to 4-3 in favor of the Chippewas before leaving two more runners on base as Howell got the final out on a pop fly.

Game 2

The Chippewas struggled to score runs in the nightcap of the doubleheader, taking a 3-1 loss. 

Freshman Kaitlyn Bean had a solid outing, allowing three runs over three innings in the losing effort for the Chips, moving her record to 6-5 on the season. Fellow freshman Haley John also pitched the final four innings, allowing no runs and getting one strikeout.

After the Titans took the lead on an RBI double in the second inning, they extended the lead to 2-0 with another RBI double in the third.

CMU tried to answer with an RBI double of its own off the bat of Andrea Perlberg, but her hit only brought the margin to 2-1.

Detroit Mercy then used a home run by Alyssa Lang in the fourth frame to increase the lead to 3-1. 

The Chippewas resume action on April 16 as they face Oakland in another nonconference doubleheader. First pitch on Tuesday will be at 2 p.m. at Margo Jonker Stadium in Mount Pleasant.

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