Central Michigan University
Toledo
Softball Nips Toledo in the Seventh Inning, 2-1
4/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 9, 2004
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Freshman Jacque Benedict's persistence paid off for the Central Michigan University softball team in the bottom of the seventh inning Friday as the Chippewas defeated Toledo, 2-1.
Down 0-2 in the count, Benedict fouled off nine pitches from Toledo starter Kim Pettit before lining a one-out double down the left field line in the final frame. Benedict then went to third on a Stephanie Crews' ground out before another freshman, Brittany Fulks, singled up the middle to score the game-winning run.
The Chippewas improved to 14-11 overall, 3-1 in the MAC while Toledo fell to 10-20 overall, 2-6 in conference play.
Amber Puchalski went the distance to improve to 9-5 on the year. She struck out 10 Rocket batters and allowed just three hits. However, one of the hits was a Jessica Horn solo homer in the sixth that tied the score at one.
The Chippewas took a 1-0 lead in the fourth thanks to a solo homer by freshman Lindsey Calme.
CMU tapped Pettit (3-12) for six hits on the day and both teams committed a fielding error.
Also picking up hits for CMU were Brittany Decker, Aimee Smith and Christin Sobeck who each notched singles.
The Chippewas and Rockets now play a doubleheader on Saturday with first pitch slated for 1 p.m.
NOTES:
* Amber Puchalski notched 10 K's on the day to bring her career total to 836, six shy of the Mid-American Conference career record of 842.
* After giving up the homer in the sixth inning, Puchalski fanned three batters in order in the seventh. The Chippewa pitcher also notched at least one strikeout in every inning.
* Horn's homer in the sixth ended Puchalski's string of 33 consecutive scoreless innings pitched. Of Horn's 11 hits this season, four are homers.
* The Chippewas are now 5-2 in one-run games this season.
