Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: Sports

Senior catcher Ellen Venker, left, and senior third baseman Amy Hudson celebrate the softball team's 2-0 win Saturday against Eastern Michigan. CMU won 9-5 Sunday to sweep the two [Click to enlarge]

Sophomore outfielder Christina Novak went 2-for-4 with two RBIs Sunday in Central's 9-5 win against Eastern Michigan. [Click to enlarge]

Amy Hudson stopped at second base, lifted her arms and received an ovation from the home crowd Sunday after recording her fifth RBI in two games.

The senior third baseman batted 4-for-5 and scored two runs in CMU's 9-5 win against Eastern Michigan. She also had six assists on defense and led the softball team to a two-game series sweep.

In addition to Sunday's win, Central beat EMU 2-0 Saturday at the CMU Softball Complex.



With the wins, CMU extended its winning streak to five games and improved to 5-1 in the Mid-American Conference.

"I had some fun," Hudson said. "It is important to be up right now. The end of our season is going to be a lot harder, so it is important to get the wins now."

With a 9-5 win in the second game, Central scored its most runs since it scored 10 on March 2 against Tennessee State. Five CMU players had at least one RBI and only three batters struck out.

"Our offense was great all around," said coach Margo Jonker. "We know we can hit the ball. It is a matter of being aggressive. It's good to see the bats going."

Junior outfielder Tracy Kaatz stole three bases and improved her streak to 22 consecutive steals without being thrown out. The base running proved to be useful for the Chippewas as she scored three runs in the second game. She is now ranked seventh for career steals at CMU with 48.

"It is important for anyone to get in scoring position," Kaatz said. "My role as a lead off hitter is just to get on, whether it's by hit, by walk, or by error. I just need to get on any way possible."

Sophomore pitcher Kari Seddon recorded her second straight shutout in the first game of the series Saturday with a 2-0 victory. She is now 3-0 in MAC play, and has not allowed an earned run.

Seddon struggled with walks at the beginning of the season, but showed her control by walking only two batters on Saturday.

"I have really focused in practice on getting ahead in the count and staying ahead in the count," Seddon said. "That is what I go into every game thinking - stay ahead."

EMU, the defending MAC Tournament champions, dropped to 7-15 overall and 0-2 in the MAC. The Eagles ended CMU's NCAA Tournament hopes last season, winning 6-5 in eight innings in the championship game.

"Everyone came to play really fired up to play them because we owed them from last season," Kaatz said. "We did a good job of returning the favor."



sports@cm-life.com

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