Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Eastern Michigan
Softball Tops EMU In Another Tight One, 3-2
4/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 15, 2006
MOUNT PLEASANT - Reliever Ali Pettit got the Chippewas out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning and then the freshman slammed the door against the heart of the Eagles' lineup in the seventh as Central Michigan University posted a 3-2 home win over Eastern Michigan on Saturday.
Pettit notched her third save of the season after starter Jessica Garvin (5-4) went the first four and a third innings to earn the win. The victory evens CMU's Mid-American Conference record at 4-4 (13-19) while the Eagles fall to 6-4 (18-21).
"I don't expect (wins) to come easy at this point in the season," coach Margo Jonker said. "I was proud of the team after we loaded the bases in the first inning. We were tough and hung in there, and I thought that was a key point in the game."
A pair of first-inning fielding errors by the Chippewas loaded the bases but CMU got an inning-ending double play to get out of the jam.
Jacque Benedict beats the throw home as EMU catcher Katie Grens awaits the ball.  | |
EMU did get on the board in the third when an error allowed Ashley Strauss to reach and she scored on an RBI single up the middle by Lauren Clark.
The Chippewas used three hits in the fourth to push across three runs and take the lead. Amy Hudson led off with a single and Suzie Giroux reached on a fielder's choice on a sacrifice attempt after the EMU fielder pumped to try and get the lead runner but decided she didn't have a play at either base. Christan Dhondt drove in Hudson with an RBI single and Lindsey Calme plated the go-ahead run while reaching on a fielder's choice as the EMU shortstop tried unsuccessfully to nail Giroux at the plate.
Freshman Kim Cozat singled to third driving in what ended up being CMU's final run of the game.
Eastern would get to Garvin in the fifth as she gave up four straight hits to draw EMU within one while loading the bases. That's when Pettit came in and she didn't allow a hit to the 11 batters she faced. The righty did walk two while fanning one.
Pettit had to face the No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 hitters in the seventh, with Clark, the MAC's home run leader opening the frame. Pettit walked her and she was sacrificed over to second. Pettit got the final two outs on a fly ball to left and a sharp liner to third.
"Today we came through," Jonker said. "Pettit did a great job in relief.
"This was a key week if we wanted to do something in the conference race this season. We got two wins in close games which will help our confidence."
Garvin allowed seven hits and two runs (one earned) while fanning two and walking none.
CMU managed just four hits in the game, two by Dhondt. The Chippewas had four fielding errors in the contest, including two in the outfield.
Katie Horvath tries to slide into second but EMU second baseman Kayla Bluthardt delivered the ball to shortstop Lauren Clark just in time during the second inning. | |
Michelle Lloyd (3-9) took the loss despite giving up just four hits. She fanned five.
The Chippewas now head to No. 12-ranked Michigan on Tuesday, April 18, for a doubleheader against the defending national champion Wolverines. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m.
NOTES:
- The Chippewas have now won 19 straight against the Eagles.
- EMU's loss was the first this season when they scored first (12-1).
- In both games of the series, the Chippewas won despite recording less hits than the Eagles.
- Freshman Ali Pettit's three saves this season tie for fourth on CMU's single season chart with five other individuals.
