CMU softball beats Bellarmine in Hilltopper Classic finale
Eaton Rapids freshman Grace Letho pitches the ball during the Chippewa's game against Buffalo April 24 in Margo Jonker Stadium.
Central Michigan's bats got hot once again.
An early spurt put the Chippewas up first, giving them a lead. They would prevail 3-1 over the Bellarmine Knights in the final game of the weekend on Sunday.
“I am very happy with the weekend and obviously leaving the weekend 2-3 every day we got a little better and were seeing progression from game to game as you start off any year,” said head coach McCall Salmon. “Any season that's where you want to be, and we built our non-conference schedule to test us in certain areas.”
Sophomore Grace Lehto got the start in the circle for the Chippewas. Lehto threw 99 pitches on the day and seven strikeouts, giving up one earned run on four hits.
The Chippewas defense was on top of their game, stranding two base runners in the first. The Chippewas started the bats early, as Caitlyn Britton took a two-run shot to left center to bring in Shannon Stein to put the Chippewas up 2-0.
The Knights started a two-out rally in the top of the fourth. With Hannah Webb in scoring position, freshman Chloe Collins ripped one up the middle to send Webb home to cut the Chippewas lead in half.
The Chippewas held the Knight scoreless for the fifth and sixth in three up three down innings. Although the Chippewas held the Knights scoreless, the Knights answered right back with their tough defense keeping them in the game.
The Knights continued to bring the tough defense as the bottom of the sixth rolled around, making an early double play but the Chippewas brought back bats. Junior Emily Bracamonte singled to left field with two outs hoping to start something for the Chippewas. Freshman Allyssa Hollo came in pinch hitting for Kelsey Alexander and singled to advance Bracamonte into scoring position. The Knights defense loosened up with an overthrow bringing Bracamonte home to give the Chippewas a lead of two.
The Knights had one last chance to get the bats going but it was no match for the Chippewas defense and pitching they fell to the Chippewas 3-1.
The Chippewas will head to the Coastal Carolina tournament on Friday when they take on Maryland at 9 a.m. and Coastal Carolina at 4:30 p.m.
