Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Split MAC Doubleheader at Buffalo
4/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Central Michigan University softball team split two games against Mid-American Conference opponent Buffalo, losing the first game 5-2 but prevailing in the nightcap, 5-1, on Friday.
In the first game, the Bulls got on the board early against Chippewas starter Chelsea Sundberg, posting two home runs en route to a 3-0 lead. The Bulls pushed two more across the plate in the 4th off Morgan Yuncker, who replaced Sundberg after the first inning.
The Chippewas got on the board in the sixth inning, when Trista Cox and CarolAnn Sexauer hit back-to-back home runs, cutting the Bulls' lead to 5-2.
The Chippewas loaded the bases in the seventh inning with one out, but were unable to score.
Sundberg took the loss, pitching just 1/3 of an inning and giving up three runs on three hits. Yuncker went 5 2/3, allowing two unearned runs on just one hit, walking three and striking out four.
Senior Tori Speckman went the distance for the Bulls, allowing five hits and striking out four.
In the second game, the Chippewas benefited from another strong pitching performance from freshman Rachael Knapp, who pitched the complete game, allowing one run on three hits and striking out seven.
The Chippewas got an early lead in the first inning when Katelynn Rentschler's single up the middle brought in two runs after a Buffalo error. They then doubled up in the fourth, scoring two more runs off a Lauren Bowman single and a Brittney Horan bunt single.
The Chippewas would add their final run an inning later, when Trista Cox doubled to bring in Cory DeLamielleure after her leadoff triple.
Hayley Barrow spoiled Knapp's shutout bid a solo home run in the sixth.
Barrow took the loss, allowing five runs on eight hits. She struck out nine and walked four.
The split brings the Chippewas record to 25-11 overall on the season, and 4-2 in the MAC. CMU goes to Kent State on Saturday at 2 p.m and on Sunday at 1 p.m.
