Chippewas Head North for Softball Tournament
9/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Kevin Meyer, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- The Central Michigan softball team will take a road trip to Traverse City West High School this weekend for a round-robin tournament with Oakland, Michigan and Western Michigan.
Not only will the trip serve to provide an opportunity for the Chippewas to face strong competition, it will also serve as a team-bonding experience.
"The team will be staying at a lodge, so we'll have a chance to have some bonfires, relax and bond as a team unit, as well as have the opportunity to play together in some games," coach Margo Jonker said. "It's gonna be a good weekend."
The Chippewas opened up the fall season with a 10-inning non-scoring exhibition game against Northwood at home on Tuesday. CMU will play its final fall event on Thursday, Oct. 2, with a doubleheader at home against Ferris State. Game time is 3 p.m.
"I thought for the first outing, with a lot of the freshmen having their first day in the uniform, we had a really good day," Jonker said, referring to Tuesday's game with Northwood. "Overall it was a really good team day."
The Chippewas received strong efforts from several freshmen, including catcher Maison Kalina and outfielder Sara Hansen, the sister of Chippewas senior first baseman Karly Hansen.
"Sara Hansen came in and really had an excellent day for us, she gave us a boost on the basepaths with a couple steals and runs." Jonker said.
Sara Hansen is fresh off a prolific high school career at Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, where she obliterated the state record by hitting safely in 91 consecutive games (she bettered the former mark by 54 games).
Her 82 runs in the 2012 season is a prep state standard, and she ranks second on the career runs scored list with 252. She collected 305 career hits at Sacred Heart, 100 of which came in 2012. Both are state records, and her .567 career average is the eighth-best in Michigan high school history.
Tuesday's game allowed Jonker to get a good look at the pitchers that are set to replace Chelsea Sundberg and Morgan Yuncker, both of whom graduated last year. Freshmen Hanna Warren and Taylor Weaver both took a turn in the circle.
"It was great to see all of our pitchers out there," Jonker said. "We have two pitchers that came in, Weaver and Warren, that are both very good.
"Rachael Knapp was great last season and now she's back with another year of experience, and I think if Tricia Graham can come through and be able to pitch some and throw some innings for us, I think our staff will be fine."
