Softball shut out by St. Joseph's
Junior Erin Gallagher pitched a two-hit shutout Tuesday as St. Joseph’s beat Central Michigan softball 2-0 in Clearwater, Fla.
The loss snapped CMU’s four-game winning streak, and junior Molly Coldren’s home run streak at three games. Coldren was able to go 1-for-2 Tuesday.
St. Joseph’s (10-5) broke a scoreless game in the top of the fourth inning when junior Monica Aguilar hit a solo home run.
The Hawks scored again in the sixth inning after junior Bernadette Morgan stole third base and scored on a fielder’s choice.
“I want to see more consistency in our defense,” CMU head coach Margo Jonker has been preaching since before the spring break trip started.
CMU committed one error Tuesday. Senior Kari Seddon pitched the complete game, only giving up five hits and two runs, but was the losing pitcher. Seddon also was the only other Chippewa with a hit.
“She’s been a big positive for us so far,” Jonker said last week. “She’s been pitching and hitting well.”
Seddon’s .436 batting average leads the team with players that have had more than 10 at bats. She also is tied for the best earned run average at 1.44 runs per nine innings.
Coldren and Seddon’s hits came back-to-back in the seventh inning as CMU tried to mount a comeback. The Chippewas were able to load the bases and put the winning run on first base before the comeback ran dry with a groundout.
Gallagher her no hitter into the seventh inning, when Coldren ended it with a leadoff single.
CMU (7-6) doesn’t play again until Friday, when it plays Central Connecticut (5-5-1) and Colorado State (4-15).
“Wednesday is going to be a day off for the team,” Jonker said. “They can go do whatever they want – spend time with any family that came. Thursday will be a practice day.”
