Central Michigan University Athletics
Softball Stymies Radford, 3-2, in Clearwater
3/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Central Michigan softball team scored three first-inning runs and Kari Seddon took care of the rest as the Chippewas defeated Radford, 3-2, on the final day of the USF Tournament on Sunday.
Seddon held the Highlanders to three hits in her second complete game of the season. The St. Clair, Mich., native also struck out six batters.
Central improves to 3-6 with Sunday’s victory.
“Kari pitched very well throughout the day,” head coach Margo Jonker said. “She got stronger as the game wore on. She is getting back in the swing of things and beginning to trust herself.”
Christina Novak got the Maroon and Gold offense started with a leadoff walk and a steal in the opening frame. A Molly Coldren single put runners at first and third with two outs to set up Amanda Patrick, who came through with a two-run double to center field. Patrick advanced to third on a throw to home plate and scored on a Brittini Merchant infield hit to put CMU up, 3-0.
Radford answered with a run of its own in the second. RU loaded the bases behind three walks and scored on a passed ball. Seddon prevented further damage when she induced a groundout to end the frame with the tying runs in scoring position.
RU drew within a run in the fifth inning behind an RBI single by Nichole Beall. A wild pitch moved the tying run to second base with two outs, but Seddon again kept it from advancing any further with an inning-ending strikeout.
Seddon closed the game out by allowing only one walk in her final two innings of work to secure the victory.
“We didn’t have the problems on defense today that we have had so far this season,” Jonker said. “We didn’t allow any big innings against us, that’s a big positive for us going forward. Our defense stayed steady throughout the day. Christina had an awesome catch on a fly ball, she caught the ball in front of the fence, went over it and held on to the ball, that was a huge play.”
CMU will remain in Clearwater, Fla., and return to action on Tuesday when it faces Penn State.
Seddon held the Highlanders to three hits in her second complete game of the season. The St. Clair, Mich., native also struck out six batters.
Central improves to 3-6 with Sunday’s victory.
“Kari pitched very well throughout the day,” head coach Margo Jonker said. “She got stronger as the game wore on. She is getting back in the swing of things and beginning to trust herself.”
Christina Novak got the Maroon and Gold offense started with a leadoff walk and a steal in the opening frame. A Molly Coldren single put runners at first and third with two outs to set up Amanda Patrick, who came through with a two-run double to center field. Patrick advanced to third on a throw to home plate and scored on a Brittini Merchant infield hit to put CMU up, 3-0.
Radford answered with a run of its own in the second. RU loaded the bases behind three walks and scored on a passed ball. Seddon prevented further damage when she induced a groundout to end the frame with the tying runs in scoring position.
RU drew within a run in the fifth inning behind an RBI single by Nichole Beall. A wild pitch moved the tying run to second base with two outs, but Seddon again kept it from advancing any further with an inning-ending strikeout.
Seddon closed the game out by allowing only one walk in her final two innings of work to secure the victory.
“We didn’t have the problems on defense today that we have had so far this season,” Jonker said. “We didn’t allow any big innings against us, that’s a big positive for us going forward. Our defense stayed steady throughout the day. Christina had an awesome catch on a fly ball, she caught the ball in front of the fence, went over it and held on to the ball, that was a huge play.”
CMU will remain in Clearwater, Fla., and return to action on Tuesday when it faces Penn State.
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