Central Michigan University Athletics
No. 10-ranked Cal-Fullerton Downs Chippewas
2/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 14, 2003
HENDERSON, Nev. -- The defending Mid-American Conference champion Central Michigan University softball team had a tough task in its season opener against the No. 10-ranked Cal-State Fullerton Titans and All-American pitcher Gina Oaks. The Chippewas dropped a 9-1 decision in five-innings at the UNLV Softball Classic tournament on Friday afternoon. The Titans improved to 7-4 on the year.
Oaks no-hit the Chippewas through three innings before being replaced by freshman Roxy Moran. Moran surrendered just two Chippewa hits in the game while CMU committed five errors in the field.
CMU ace Amber Puchalski took the loss in the circle while going just two innings. Puchalski allowed five hits and five runs, but only one was earned. She struck out one and walked three. Jenni Rasmussen tossed three innings allowing three hits and four runs (all earned).
The Titans scored three times in the first inning, while only one of the runs was earned. The leadoff batter reached safely on an error and was later driven in with an RBI single. Puchalski then walked home the next two runs with the bases loaded.
Fullerton added another two unearned runs in the second as the leadoff batter again reached on an error.
Puchalski was replaced to start the third by Rasmussen. Rasmussen gave up a solo homer to Amanda Hockett to lead off the fourth and CSUF added three more runs in the inning, two scoring on an RBI single by Oaks.
CMU got on the board in the fourth after Michelle Brander hit a one-out double down the third base line. Junior transfer Aimee Smith drove Brander in with a blooper to the gap in left field.
Jenny Topping had two hits and an RBI to lead the Titan offense.
The Chippewas play Cal-Riverside at 4:30 p.m., local time this afternoon.
