Second-place softball faces Kent State, Buffalo with mixed results
Central Michigan softball lost to Kent State 6-5 Sunday afternoon, dropping its record to 26-12, and 5-3 in the Mid-American Conference. The Chippewas start the week in second place in the MAC West Division.
Freshman pitcher Rachael Knapp started on the mound for CMU, throwing 3 1/3 innings, giving up four earned runs on four hits. Junior Kristen Kuhlman relieved Knapp, pitching 2 2/3 innings and giving up one earned run on two hits.
After falling behind Kent State 5-1 following a four-run fourth inning, the Chippewas regained their confidence.
Senior center fielder Brittney Horan hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning, making it 5-3 KSU. In the sixth inning, CMU sophomore right fielder Evelyn Lorimer delivered a two-run jack of her own, tying the game.
Kent State broke the tie the next inning, scoring the go-ahead run with a two-out triple.
“I liked the way that we rallied back today,” said head coach Margo Jonker. “We showed some great power at the plate. It was just unfortunate that we gave up as many runs as we did.”
The Chippewas split the weekend series with Kent State, winning Saturday’s game 7-2. Senior pitcher Morgan Yuncker pitched all seven innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits.
Sophomore second baseman Chelsea DeLamielleure hit 1-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBI.
Friday
CMU split a doubleheader with Buffalo Friday. The Chippewas lost the first game, 5-2, and won the second game, 5-1. In game one, Knapp pitched a complete game, striking out seven and giving up three hits.
Sophomore first baseman Katelyn Rentschler and senior right fielder Lauren Bowman both hit 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
The women are scheduled to play at home Wednesday against the No. 15 Michigan Wolverines.
On Friday, CMU will resume conference play with a doubleheader against Northern Illinois, before a two-game series with Western Michigan.
