Softball split series with Miami in 2-0 loss
Softball dropped the second game in a two-day series with Mid-American Conference rival Miami (Ohio) in a disappointing 2-0 shutout.
Central Michigan had a bit of a rough weekend, getting swept by MAC leader Ball State on Friday and barely getting the win on Saturday against Miami thanks to a late game offensive effort.
The Chippewa defense suffered from four errors, one of which put a runner on base that scored one of the RedHawks two runs. On the offensive side, the team didn't fare any better, Miami pitcher Jenna M0dic allowed only two hits in her seven innings of work.
"You don't win many ball games when you have four errors and only two hits," said head coach Margo Jonker. "It's one of those situations where you have to score runs and we have to play better ball. I'm disappointed with how we played today and that we didn't come through."
This loss put a damper on the senior day celebration at Margo Jonker Stadium, being the last home game for seniors Brogan Darwin, Kara Dornbos, Summer Knoop, and Macy Merchant.
"That's one of the things that was the most disappointing is they have to go away knowing that they lost their last game," Jonker said. "I have a great senior class, they're great individuals and great people and they represent the team extremely well on and off the field, in the classroom, and in life."
Miami came out swinging in the first inning and struck first when a single and an error put two runners on base. A sacrifice bunt put a runner on third with one out and was batted home on a sacrifice fly to left field.
The RedHawks struck again in the third when another fielding error allowed a runner to reach first. A double straight up the middle scored, putting the score at 2-0, where it would stay for the conclusion of the game.
Junior Chelsea Sundberg did well in the circle, giving up three hits, but, was handed the loss with two earned runs. The Chippewas bats were silent, with Knoop and Darwin earning the only hits on the day.
"We didn't swing the bat with aggression or ballistically," Jonker said, "We were just swinging passively and you get no results when you don't swing that way and don't risk anything at the plate."
The team will only have one week to tighten up its play before entering the MAC tournament where it holds the third seed behind Ball State and Kent State.
"We need to relax and play our game," Jonker said. "We've proven that we do have the potential, and the players to do well, so we need to get back to that and get the confidence going"
