Central Michigan University Athletics
Softball Wins Eighth MAC Tournament Title
5/12/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 12, 2001
MOUNT PLEASANT--Central Michigan won its eighth Mid-American Conference tournament championship with an 8-3 win over Ball State on Saturday afternoon at the CMU Softball Complex.
The title is the Chippewas' third straight and gives them a berth in the NCAA regional tournament set for next weekend. The regional pairings are announced on Sunday evening at 8:30 p.m.
Central held a slim 4-3 advantage before scoring four runs in the sixth inning to take control of the game.
The Chippewas, aided by two walks and an error, loaded the bases with two outs. Amy Morrison slammed a single to center that scored two runs while Hope Robertshaw continued her hot hitting with a two-RBI single.
The Cardinals got a pair of runners on base in the seventh inning but CMU pitcher Amber Puchalski got Kasey Angulo to fly out to left field to end the game.
The Chippewas held a commanding 4-0 lead after scoring one run in the first and three more in the third.
Robertshaw had a sacrifice fly to score Becky Manson who had reached base on a bunt single in the first inning.
In the third inning, Central had runners at first and third with one out to set the stage for Kim Burke. The senior delivered triple that cleared the bases to give Central a 3-0 lead. Jen Skuta rounded out the scoring with a sacrifice fly.
Puchalski was cruising until the fifth inning when the Cardinals loaded the bases with two outs. Katie Shea doubled to right to score a pair of runs while Carrie Lively had an RBI single to close the gap to 4-3.
Puchalski picked up the complete-game win for the Chippewas. She gave up nine hits and three runs and struck out eight. Puchalski's record stands at 25-7 on the year.
The performances of seniors Morrison, Robertshaw and Burke were key to the Chippewas' win. Morrison went 2-for-3 with two RBI, Robertshaw hit 1-for-2 with three RBI and Burke was 1-for-3 with a triple and two RBI.
Central (36-18) had the tournament MVP and four members of the all-tournament team. Robertshaw was the tournament MVP after hitting .667 (6-9) for the tournament. She also had five RBI and a double. It was the second straight year that Robertshaw was named MVP of the tourney.
Michelle Brander, Burke, Puchalski and Skuta were all named to the all-tournament team.
CMU got to the championship game with wins over Kent State (4-3) and Northern Illinois (2-0).
