Central Michigan University Athletics
Big Inning Lifts EIU Over CMU, 7-6
2/15/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- A seven-run fourth inning was all Eastern Illinois needed to defeat Central Michigan, 7-6, on Sunday morning in the final day of action at the Troy Cox Classic.
The Chippewas finished the tournament 0-5 while EIU went on to win the championship with a perfect 5-0 record.
CMU jumped out to a 4-0 lead through three innings, thanks to a solo homer by Christina Novak in the first inning and a three-run third. Molly Coldren drew a bases loaded walk in the third frame and a pair of runs scored on an error as the Chippewas built an early four-run cushion.
However, the Panthers belted out five hits in the bottom of the fourth and were aided by four Chippewa errors as EIU posted seven runs on the board in the frame, all unearned.
The Chippewas clawed back into it with a two-run homer by Katie Greenman in the sixth but Central fell one run shy as it could only put one runner on in the seventh.
Ali Pettit (0-3) took the loss despite not giving up an earned run. She struck out eight and walked one.
Relief pitcher Amber May earned the win for the Panthers throwing four and a third innings of relief and allowing two hits and two runs while fanning three.
CMU finished with five hits and five errors while the EIU had nine hits and one error.
Also picking up hits for CMU were Brittini Merchant, Ashley Gilson and Jill Schulz.
Novak finished the tournament hitting .368 while driving in eight of CMU's 17 runs. As a team, Central had six homers in the five games with Novak launching a team-high three roundtrippers.
The Chippewas are now off until March 6 when they head to Florida for a pair of tournaments during Spring Break week.
