Softball finishes third in Traverse City tournament
The Central Michigan softball team finished third in the Traverse City Invitational Sunday, wrapping up a weekend of softball with an extra innings victory against rival Western Michigan.
CMU began the day against Notre Dame, a team that they tied 0-0 on Saturday.
Sophomore pitcher Kara Dornbos started in the circle and opened the scoring for the day, hitting a solo home run to put CMU up 1-0.
Notre Dame responded with a three-run home run of its own, capitalized on a couple of hits and a CMU fielding error to go ahead 3-1.
“Kara Dornbos had a fabulous game pitching and Sarah Patterson came in and did a great job too,” said junior Molly Coldren. “Our defense was strong, but our offense was a little cold.”
In the second game, Coldren hit a solo shot in the bottom of the second inning to tie the game against WMU at one run a piece. Each team added a second run, and were unable to break the tie after seven innings of regulation play.
CMU secured the win in the ninth inning. Junior Ashley Gilson started off the inning with a hit, and was bunted to third by freshman Lauren Bowman. With the winning run in scoring position, Brittini Merchant recorded the game-winning base hit.
Freshmen Chelsea Sundberg and Morgan Yunker split time on the mound, giving up a combined two runs in nine innings.
“The freshmen held their own,” Coldren said. “The pitchers excelled and held their composure very well. Chelsea and Morgan were dominant on the mound.”
The Wolverines went on to win the tournament, topping the Fighting Irish on Sunday in the championship.
