Central Michigan University Athletics
Softball Splits in Pickup Action
3/5/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 5, 2002
PLANT CITY, Fla. -- The Central Michigan softball team experienced both ends of a shutout as it split two games this afternoon in Plant City, Fla.
CMU dropped a 2-0 decision to Michigan State this morning and took the nightcap from Pittsburgh, 3-0.
The Chippewas improve to 8-6 on the season.
Michigan State capitalized on an error in the fourth inning to take the 2-0 lead. The error put State runners on second and third when MSU pitcher Jessica Beech stepped up to the plate. She hit a two-out, two-RBI single to center field. The Chippewas' offense was awake but ineffective as they belted five hits (to MSU's two) and stranded seven runners on base.
Becky Manson was 2-for-4 at the plate with a double.
Amber Puchalski got the loss against the intrastate rivals. Both runs were unearned.
The Chippewas offense made good on its first threat in the second game against Pittsburgh. CMU jumped all over the Panthers with a three-run homer off of Jennifer Skuta's bat in the first inning. It was all CMU would need as Jenni Rasmussen pitched seven innings of shutout ball. She stymied the Panther hitters with five strikeouts in the win.
Skuta has four homers on this Florida trip and her 10 career home runs ties her for fifth in CMU annals.
Catcher Michelle Brander was stellar from behind the plate as she caught the Panthers stealing on all three attempts this afternoon.
Skuta was 1-for-3 against Pitt with three RBI while Brander was a solid 2-for-3 with a run scored.
The Chippewas return to action in the Speedline Tournament in Plant City, Fla., on Thursday. CMU opens tourney play against Nicholls State.
