Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
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Western Michigan
Broncos Top Chippewas, 8-3
4/1/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 1, 2006
MOUNT PLEASANT -- An error on a lazy grounder back to the pitching circle started a rally for the visiting Western Michigan University Broncos as they posted five runs in the fourth inning before rolling to an 8-3 win over rival Central Michigan University on Saturday afternoon at the CMU Softball Complex.
The two teams will meet again on Sunday for a single-game matinee at 1 p.m.
It was a scoreless game until the fourth when CMU starter Jessica Garvin struck out leadoff batter Lauren Fuller. But, Garvin then mishandled a soft roller back to the pitching circle, gained control of it, but rushed her throw to first allowing Tricia Vanderslik to reach. Garvin then hit the next batter with a pitch and gave up a two-run double before Ali Pettit was brought on in relief.
The Chippewa freshman then gave up five straight hits, including a two-run homer to Katie Niemi, before Jill DeRoche came on to get the final out of the inning after issuing a walk to load the bases.
Kristi Strange hit a solo homer for the Broncos in the sixth and WMU added two more runs in the seventh to lead it 8-0.
CMU finally broke into the scoring column with a three-run bottom of the seventh. Amy Hudson hit a two-run double and she later scored on a throwing error by the catcher.
Western improved to 14-8 overall, 2-1 in the MAC with the victory while CMU dropped to 10-16, 2-1 in the MAC.
Jacque Benedict and Brittany Decker each tallied a pair of hits for CMU.
The Chippewas finished with six hits and four fielding errors while WMU racked up 11 hits and had three errors.
Krysten Shumaker (8-2) earned the win with six innings pitched and four hits allowed. Tricia Vanderslik closed the final inning allowing a pair of hits and three runs, but only one was earned.
The Chippewas ended up using four pitchers in the game as Garvin (4-3) suffered the loss. Amy Candioto threw the final frame.
Fans are reminded to set their clocks ahead one hour for daylight savings time in order to be on time for Sunday's rematch.
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