Coldren ties home run record but keeps team goals first
Junior Molly Coldren has made it a habit to trot around the bases, but she’s only enjoying them as long as her team is winning.
Coldren tied Christina Novak for the Central Michigan softball career home run record by hitting her 19th last week against South Florida. She already broke the single-season homer record with 11 last year, and one more will give her sole possession of the career record, too.
“In my head, I just think line-drive to left-center (field),” Coldren said. “But if the pitcher puts it in my wheelhouse, I go with it inside.”
Coldren has done most of her power damage with screwballs and curveballs, saying, “they’re easier to read and hit.”
The records don’t mean as much to Coldren as her team winning, though.
“It’s exciting, but in the long run it doesn’t mean anything if we don’t win the (Mid-American Conference),” Coldren said. “It feels good to know I can help my team out. I’m happy we’re winning.”
Coldren hit four home runs during last week’s trip to Clearwater, Fla.
Her bombs helped CMU win eight of its last 10 games.
“My confidence was up,” Coldren said. “The team is hitting well, it continued onto my bat.”
CMU coach Margo Jonker agrees with her power hitter about keeping the team first.
“I’m excited for her,” Jonker said, “but honestly, I’ll be more excited when we have some team-records broken. Like wins.”
The Chippewas are currently 11-7 heading into the Hoosier Classic this weekend in Bloomington, Ind. The club record for wins was set in 1982 when the team went 51-12 in Jonker’s third year at the school.
“Molly has a lot of power,” Jonker said proudly.
