Softball's season ends with loss to Kent State in MAC Tournament
The Central Michigan Women's Softball Team turns a double play against Michigan State April 9 at Margo Jonker Stadium.
Going into the seventh inning of its Mid-American Conference Tournament elimination matchup against No.2 Kent State, the No. 5 Central Michigan softball team was hitless.
Senior first baseman Erika Underwood changed that story with a two-out base hit to left center field. The Chippewas (22-28-1) saw their season conclude with the next batter, taking a 3-0 loss to the Golden Flashes (27-23) May 10 at Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio.
Kent State eliminated CMU in the season's lone matchup between the clubs with a strong performance from its starting pitcher, right-hander Andrea Scali (W, 21-8). The redshirt freshman was perfect through four innings before issuing a leadoff walk to CMU freshman designated player Shannon Stein.
Scali was able to punch out seven Chippewas, allowing just one walk and one hit in a complete game effort – her 22nd of the season.
For the Chippewas, freshman right-hander Kaitlyn Bean (L, 8-7) took to the circle and pitched well against Kent State. She dispatched three runs (all earned) on seven hits with four strikeouts and one walk.
Two of those runs came quickly for Kent State.
Sophomore designated player Brenna Brownfield drove a Bean offering deep to left field, the opposite field for the right-handed batter, and gave KSU a two-run lead in the bottom of the first inning.
The Brownfield family accounted for all of Kent State's runs as Brenna's older sister and senior third baseman, Bailey, grounded out but plated a runner in the bottom of the fifth inning.
CMU head coach Margo Jonker said that the season-ending loss was disappointing, but realistic because the offense was non-existent.
"Obviously you have to get hits to score runs and you have to score runs to win the game," Jonker said. "That pitcher is a good pitcher and she'll be great for our league."
After ending the Chippewas' season, the Golden Flashes subsequently had their season ended with a 2-1 loss to No. 7 Toledo in the nightcap.
The Rockets take on top-seed Miami (Ohio) at 10:30 a.m. May 11 with the winner advancing to the championship game against No. 3 Ohio.
