Central Michigan University Athletics
Pitching In: Chippewas Well Armed for Stretch Run
4/24/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- The Central Michigan University softball team is well on its way to yet another successful season with head coach Margo Jonker at the helm, a 35-year veteran at the position.
The Chippewas have benefited from a strong effort from their pitching staff this season. The Chippewas feature a staff comprised of c Morgan Yuncker and Chelsea Sundberg, freshman Rachael Knapp, sophomore Tricia Graham and junior Kristen Kuhlman.
The rotation ranks second in the Mid-American Conference in team earned run average (ERA) with a 2.69, and allows the lowest opponent batting average (.228) of any team in the league.
While the Chippewas looked impressive in the early part of the season, the MAC season is winding down and provides the Chippewas with their biggest challenge. Jonker said she believes that the staff will be among the conference’s best by the end of the season.
“At this point, stats don't matter a lot to me, because they were mostly preseason statistics, it's going to mean a lot more to me at the end of the conference schedule if we're still leading the conference in those statistics,” Jonker said. “I'm confident that by the end of the season we will be among the teams competing for the top pitching marks.”
Yuncker and Knapp have led the charge, sporting a combined 19-4 record with five shutouts and 15 complete games.
“I think Morgan has pitched better than she ever has in her career, and it's been good to see that she has stepped up in her senior year,” Jonker said, “and Rachael Knapp has come in as a freshman, and it's nice for her, because teams haven't had a chance to see her pitch, and so it's been nice to have her this year, because she's a very good pitcher and is just a freshman.”
Despite the stellar statistics of the duo, Jonker insists that the value of the rotation as a whole is more important than the efforts of any one pitcher.
“We try to focus on our pitching staff as a whole, and not just one pitcher,” she said. “There is a lot more to a team's success than the play of one individual.”
The common denominator is senior catcher Cory DeLamielleure.
“I think the reason our pitchers have so much success is because of the efforts of Cory DeLamielleure behind the plate, because she calls a great game and is the backbone of the team,” Jonker said. “It’s the battery of the team that really makes the difference, and Cory is the type of catcher that can make a good pitcher be a great pitcher. She’s not just good, she is great.”
DeLamielleure’s main strength is being able to adjust to the unique differences of a pitching staff. While some teams feature just one or two workhorse pitchers, the Chippewas have featured five throwers this season, and DeLamielleure has established chemistry with each one.
“I think a big part of this game is being confident -- confident in their abilities and in mine,” DeLamielleure said. “They are all different, and getting to know their personalities on and off the field helps me to know how to treat and work with each one, and the success follows that confidence.”
