Coldren continues hitting tear in win over Maine
Junior Molly Coldren hit her third home run in as many games as Central Michigan softball beat Maine 9-4 Monday in Clearwater, Fla., improving its current winning streak to four games.
“She’s taking really good swings right now,” said CMU head coach Margo Jonker. “Molly is certainly hitting well. She’s picking the right pitches to hit.”
The Chippewas ran off to a 4-0 lead to start the game and never looked back. They were able to hold off Maine, never relinquishing the lead.
Coldren’s bomb was her fourth homer of the season, improving her career record to 18. That leaves her one shy of the CMU record held by Christina Novak.
Coldren isn’t the only Chippewa hitting well. Senior Amanda Patrick went 2-for-4 at the plate and drove in two runs.
“Patrick had a couple of outstanding RBI hits,” Jonker said of the third baseman. “She’s been playing good defense and good offense.”
Freshman Lauren Bowman racked up three hits and stole another three bases to help pick up the offense. Senior Brittini Merchant joined in, stealing two bases after getting two hits.
“Our speedsters did an outstanding job,” Jonker said. “The base running was outstanding. We took advantage of when they would hesitate and took an extra base.”
CMU finished with eight stolen bases and 11 hits. Freshman Chelsea Sundberg started the game in the circle, earning her third win of the season.
“It wasn’t Chelsea’s best outing, but she did well and kept us in the game,” Jonker said.
Sundberg finished throwing 4.1 innings, allowing four runs off five hits.
On Tuesday, CMU (7-5) plays St. Joseph (9-5), its seventh game in five days, at 2 p.m. in Clearwater, Fla.
“Our players played well today,” Jonker said. “I’m excited for them.”
