Dhondt's Homer Lifts Chippewas Past Michigan State, 3-1

Wednesday, April 13

East Lansing, Mich.

4:00 PM

Central Michigan University

Michigan State

4/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball

April 13, 2005

Box Score

EAST LANSING - Christan Dhondt's two-run homer in the top of the seventh broke a 1-1 tie as the Central Michigan University softball team defeated Michigan State, 3-1, on Wednesday at Old College Field in East Lansing.

CMU improves to 18-8 while the Spartans fall to 14-22-1.

"We had different players step up today and that was good to see," coach Margo Jonker said. "We had two big hits that went to the opposite field."

The No. 8 and No. 9 hole hitters provided CMU's scoring in the contest as Stephanie Crews gave CMU a 1-0 lead in the fifth thanks to a two-out RBI triple to the opposite field in right scoring Suzie Giroux who pinch ran for Dhondt after she singled up the middle.

Jessica Garvin held the Spartans in check until the sixth inning when she allowed her first hit. That was a leadoff single to No. 9 hole hitter Nicole Mercado who snuck one up the middle.

After a fielder's choice eliminated Mercado at second, an infield single by Nikki Nicosia put runners at first and second. A wild pitch by Garvin moved the runners to second and third with one out. Dayna Feenstra lined out to center for the second out but Victoria Morache tagged home and Nicosia was safe tagging to third on a close play. MSU stranded the runner at third when the Spartans' leading hitter, Caitlin Mahoney, looked at strike three ending the inning.

"Jessica pitched extremely well through the first five innings, mixing pitches and speeds well," Jonker said. "She made them swing at her pitch which was outstanding."

The Chippewas regained the lead in the seventh thanks to the two-run homer to left-center by Dhondt, her first of the season.

Garvin (11-4) went the distance and allowed just three hits while fanning six, including Mercado to end the game. CMU committed one error while the Spartans played error-free defense.

Rachel Turney (8-12) took the loss in the circle for MSU, allowing five hits and striking out six.

Karen Hohs and Amy Hudson each picked up singles for the Chippewas. Hudson's hit to lead off the second inning extended her hitting streak to 10 straight games.

The Chippewas now host Ball State for a three-game series this Saturday and Sunday, April 16-17. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday with action set to start at 1 p.m., both days.

NOTES:
* Prior to the day's game, CMU head coach Margo Jonker received a special tribute at the State Capitol in Lansing during a meeting of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education.
* The Chippewas received two votes in Wednesday's USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll following the 5-4 win over No. 1-ranked Michigan last Wednesday. The Wolverines remained the top-ranked team in both polls this week, the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll and the ESPN.com/USA Softball Coaches Poll.