Central Michigan University Athletics
Softball Splits With Kent State
3/30/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 30, 2001
MOUNT PLEASANT--Another Mid-American Conference doubleheader, another split.
Central Michigan split a doubleheader with Kent State on Friday afternoon to mark its third straight conference doubleheader split.
CMU won the opening game, 2-1, but dropped the nightcap by a 5-2 count. Kent State's loss in the opening game was its first in conference action.
The Chippewas scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning to post the 2-1 come-from-behind victory.
Michelle Brander singled and moved to second on a sacrifice by Kim Burke. Brander reached third when Lindsay Horvath hit a shot to third base. With runners on first and third, pinch-hitter Kristen White drove in the winning run with a fielder's choice. Horvath was tagged out at second but the throw was late to first to allow Brander to cross the plate.
The Golden Flashes held the early edge with a run in the top of the first inning. With two outs, LeAnn Fonner walked and scored on a double by Lea Dorto. Dorto's double was a fly ball to center that the Chippewa fielder lost in the sun.
Central got the equalizer in the second on a home run to leftfield by Jen Skuta. The shot was Skuta's third round-tripper of the season.
Amber Puchalski had another outstanding outing to pick up the win. She gave up just one hit and struck out nine to improve her record to 8-6 on the year. Puchalski's nine strikeouts gives her 100 on the season.
With the score tied, 1-1, Akron scored single runs in the second, fourth, sixth and seventh innings to pick up the 5-2 victory.
Kent State again got on the scoreboard first with a run in the top of the first inning.
The Chippewas answered with an unearned run in the bottom of the first to knot the score at 1-1.
The Golden Flashes scored the go-ahead run in the top of the second and added a run in the second, fourth and sixth innings to make it 4-1.
Central sliced the lead to 4-2 with a run in the sixth. Kim Burke had a sacrifice fly to score Brander.
KSU added a run in the top of the seventh to secure the victory.
Wendy Stephens took the loss for the Chippewas. She gave up five hits and three runs in three innings of work.
Central (13-15, 3-3 MAC) travels to Western Michigan on Sunday for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.
