CMU softball clinches conference tournament berth
The Central Michigan softball team clinched a berth to the Mid-American Conference tournament with a win over the Miami University RedHawks in intense fashion.
On a full count with two outs, the RedHawks popped a ball high and short, between first base and right field.
However, infielder and senior Angela Petrovitch slid in and caught the ball to win the game, 7-6, and clinch a tournament berth.
After their 8-1 loss to start their doubleheader, the Chippewas were hungry to even out the day.
“I really challenged them after game one that we needed to punch back, and I thought we had good plays at the plate offensively and stick to the plan, and they really did,” CMU head coach McCall Salmon said.
In addition to Petrovitch’s sliding catch, the outfield made some notable plays.
One play was by junior outfielder Emma Lotus, who slipped, caught a pop fly right on the Action C and threw out the runner at first.
“I joked with her on that one because it was like she baited her and then was able to get two outs from that situation,” Salmon said.
Besides the catch, Salmon appreciated the work from Lotus.
“When you can give that championship effort and put yourself, your team in a position to make extraordinary plays, good things are gonna happen,” she said. “I thought Emma had great reads all day.”
The head coach was grateful to see the work put into practice in the game, Salmon said.
“These are things we work on in practice all the time that I see them execute,” she said. “So for them to see it in the game setting, it's just awesome, and they deserve it all and a full team effort across the board.”
Even with its postseason berth, CMU remained focused on its final five games of the season.
“The focus is to keep winning because we're not satisfied with just being in the tournament,” Salmon said. “That's the expectation for us to be in the tournament.”
The rest of the regular season had two teams the Chippewas could meet in the tournament, the RedHawks and the University of Akron Zips.
“Miami has always been a powerhouse, and then Akron, sitting at the top, having a really great season. I feel like us competing against them and getting a win, like I said, is building momentum into the tournament,” Salmon said. “It's gonna be fresh when we probably see them again in a couple weeks.”
The Chippewas finished off their series with the RedHawks on April 26 at noon, while also celebrating Senior Day.
The celebrated seniors were Mackenzie Langan, Cierra Laska, Angela Petrovitch and Paige Sayler.
The Chippewas lost 8-0 and were mercy-ruled after just five innings.
The Central Michigan University softball seniors pose with their jerseys and the rest of the team during the last home game of the season at the softball game at Margo Jonker Stadium on Sunday, April 26, 2026. The 2026 senior class consisted of outfielder Paige Saylor, pitcher Mackenzie Langan, infielder Angela Petrovitch, and pitcher/utility player Cierra Laska. (CM-Life | Jasmine Brookins)
However, after the game, the seniors celebrated with their family, friends, teammates and administrators, having a cookout and taking pictures together.
Central Michigan softball ends its regular season next weekend in Akron, Ohio, with a three-game series with the University of Akron Zips, before heading to the Mid-American Tournament.
