Softball Sweeps Detroit

May 7, 2001

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Central Michigan swept a doubleheader from Detroit on Monday afternoon in its final tune-up before the Mid-American Conference tournament.

The Chippewas posted a 3-0 shutout in the opener and won the nightcap by a 6-3 count.

Kristina Hyllested and Jenni Rasmussen teamed up for a four-hit shutout of the Titans in CMU's 3-0 win in the opening game.

Hyllested allowed just one hit in the first four innings. She picked up the win to improve her record to 2-1 on the year.

Rasmussen held Detroit to just three hits in the last three innings of the game.

The Chippewas got on the scoreboard first with a run in the first inning.

With two outs, Hope Robertshaw walked and advanced to third on a single by Michelle Brander. Robertshaw stole home to score Central's first run.

Central added two more runs in the fifth inning to increase its lead to 3-0.

The Chippewas put runners on first and second on back-to-back singles by Kristen White and Wendy Stephens. Becky Manson cleared the bases with a single to centerfield that scored both White and pinch runner Melissa Luplow.

Detroit had its best chance to score in the fifth inning when the Titans put runners on first and third with no outs. Rasmussen got the next three runners to ground out to get out of the inning.

Central scored four runs in the first inning en route to the 6-3 victory in the nightcap.

Detroit opened the scoring with a run in the top of the first but the Chippewas stormed back with four runs in their portion of the first.

The Chippewas put runners on second and third base after Becky Manson and Amy Morrison both singled and advanced with the help of two wild pitches. Michelle Brander, Kim Burke, Jen Skuta all had RBI singles while CMU's final run scored on a throwing error by the shortstop.

The Titans sliced CMU's lead to 4-2 with a run in the top of the second.

Central increased its lead to 5-1 with a score in the third inning.

Brander led off the inning with a triple and scored on an RBI single by Burke.

Hope Robertshaw had an RBI single in the sixth inning to make it 6-2 going into the seventh inning.

Detroit got a run in the top of the seventh but it was not enough to overcome the CMU advantage.

CMU starter Amber Puchalski picked up the win to raise her record to 22-7 on the season. She gave up four hits and two runs in four innings of work. Puchalski struck out nine.

Wendy Stephens pitched the final three innings, giving up two hits and one run.

The Chippewa 13-hit attack was led by five players with two hits each. Manson, Brander, Burke, Robertshaw and Skuta all had two hits a piece.

The Chippewas host the MAC tournament set for May 10-12.