Chippewas Win Nightcap to Gain Split at Ball State
5/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Central Michigan University softball team split Friday's doubleheader with Mid-American Conference West Division-leading Ball State, losing the first game, 8-2, then prevailing in the nightcap, 8-5, in eight innings.
The Chippewas (32-16 overall, 10-8 MAC) were limited in the first game by a strong performance in the circle by sophomore Nicole Steinbach, who limited CMU to just five hits, while walking three, and striking out five. Ball State is 30-17, 10-4.
Ball State built a 6-0 lead and Steinbach held CMU to just two hits through five innings. Brittany Horan got the Chippewas on the scoreboard when she led off the sixth with a home run, then Cory DeLamielleure drew CMU to 6-2 with an RBI double.
Katelyn Rentschler had two hits to lead CMU at the plate.
Morgan Yuncker (9-4) took the loss, surrendering three runs (one earned) on two hits, walking five, and striking out two in 2 2/3 innings. Chelsea Sundberg pitched 3 1/3 innings in relief, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits, walking two, and striking out one.
The Chippewas needed to sweep the weekend's games for a chance to overtake Ball State for the division lead.
Trista Cox homered to lead off the eighth inning in the nightcap to break a 5-5 tie and put the Chippewas ahead for good. DeLamielleure followed with a homer, and the Chippewas tacked on another insurance run on a Raechel Zahrn RBI groundout.
The victory snapped a three-game losing streak. DeLamielleure finished with three hits, while Cox, Horan and Rentschler added two apiece. Cox, Horan and CarolAnn Sexauer each drove in two runs.
Rachael Knapp walked the leadoff batter in the bottom of the eighth, then set down three Cardinals in a row to end it. Knapp (13-3) went the distance, giving up eight hits, walking eight, and striking out seven.
Steinbach took the loss in relief of Kelsey Shifferdecker.
The Chippewas will end the regular season with two games at Miami (Ohio). Saturday's game will begin at 2 p.m, and the game on Sunday will begin at 1 p.m. Miami is 19-26, 7-11.
