Central Michigan University Athletics
Softball Sweeps Season Series Versus WMU With 7-5 Win
4/11/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 11, 2002
MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan erased a three-run deficit in the bottom of the third inning to come back and defeat rival Western Michigan, 7-5, on Thursday afternoon in Mount Pleasant. With the win, CMU has now won nine straight in the series.
The game didn't get off to a smooth start for Central. Western Michigan opened the game with three straight hits off starter Jenni Rasmussen and a fielder's choice scored a run out of the gates for the Broncos.
The Chippewas managed to give up only one run and Central answered in the bottom of the inning when Michelle Brander singled to score pinch-runner Melissa Luplow. Luplow was running for Karly McCormack who doubled up the middle.
WMU again loaded the bases with nobody out in the third thanks to a pair of infield singles. Amber Puchalski came in to halt the Bronco rally but she was called for an illegal pitch while facing her first batter and that scored a run. Central's hurler would get the next two batters to pop up but Samantha Genovese singled down the left field line to score a pair of runs giving the Broncos a 4-1 lead.
Central answered again with three runs in the bottom of the frame thanks to a costly WMU fielding error. Chippewa freshman Natalie de la Vega hit a little pop to second that was misplayed allowing de la Vega to reach safely. With two outs, McCormack singled to center and Michelle Brander followed with an RBI double down the right field line. CMU's leading run producer, Jen Skuta, then singled up the middle to score a pair of runs which tied the score. All three CMU runs in the inning were unearned.
Central took the lead for the first time with two more runs in the fourth. After a leadoff single by Christin Sobeck, RBI singles by de la Vega and Becky Manson gave CMU a 6-4 lead.
WMU came back to post a run in the fifth but the Chippewas pushed it back to a two-run game with a de la Vega RBI single in the sixth.
Each team tallied 10 hits and one error in the game.
Brander was 3-for-3 with two RBI, de la Vega 2-for-3 with two RBI, McCormack 2-for-3 and Skuta 1-for-3 with two RBI.
Puchalski earned the win to improve to 9-5. She pitched 5.0 innings allowing four hits and one run while striking out three.
Wendy Cannon was 4-for-4 for the Broncos.
Leah Seffernick took the loss after allowing six runs (three earned) in 4.0 innings.
The MAC-leading Chippewas conclude a four-date homestand with a three-game series against Toledo this weekend. Central hosts the Rockets for a doubleheader on Saturday (1 p.m.) and a single game on Sunday (1 p.m.).
