Chippewas split games against Loyola-Chicago, Indiana
Pitching dominated the first day of the Hoosier Classic as Central Michigan softball beat Loyola 5-1 and lost to Indiana 1-0 in Bloomington, Ind., on Friday.
The Chippewas starting the tournament with three runs in the top of the first inning off a sophomore Summer Knoop double and senior Amanda Patrick two-run homer.
“We started off strong, hitting well,” said CMU head coach Margo Jonker. “It was our goal to get a strong start and score early.”
The three runs in the first was all CMU needed behind senior Kari Seddon’s (4-3) one-run complete game. Seddon finished with five strikeouts, allowing just three hits.
Indiana pitcher Morgan Melloh threw a complete game shutout in the second game.
“In the first game pitching was slower, we had to wait on it,” Jonker said. “In the second game pitching was faster than we’ve seen. A lefty pitching with more speed and more movement.”
Melloh finished the game striking out 10 batters and allowing just two hits.
“I’m looking forward to facing her again,” Jonker said.
The only CMU hits in the second game came from senior Brittini Merchant and junior Molly Coldren. Merchant hit her first homer of the season over the left-center field in the first game and doubled off Melloh in the second game. She finished the day with three hits.
“Brittini had an exceptional day, hitting and in the field,” Jonker said.
The Chippewas didn’t commit an error Friday, which keeps Jonker happy, but it wasn’t a perfect performance.
“We played excellent defense,” Jonker said. “But a couple of miscues in both games and they took advantage.”
Indiana’s only run came on one of those miscues. In the top of the fourth CMU sophomore Kara Dornbos (4-3) walked the leadoff batter and a double scored the run Jonker said her defense could have played sharper.
“We didn’t play the ball as clean as we could have,” said Jonker. “And you can’t walk the leadoff batter.”
Jonker is still proud of the way her team has been playing.
“I’m continued to be impressed with the team effort,” Jonker said. “If we keep it up we’ll have a fun season.”
CMU (12-8) faces Wright State at 10 a.m. Saturday in Bloomington, Ind., and Michigan State at noon.
