Central Michigan University
Eastern Michigan
CMU Softball Tops Eastern, 7-4
4/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- The Central Michigan softball team completed the two-game Mid-American Conference sweep of Eastern Michigan with a 7-4 win Sunday at Margo Jonker Stadium.
The victory came on heels of a dramatic walk-off win on Saturday, when Katelyn Rentschler blasted three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning to propel the Chippewas to a 5-2 victory.
CMU's record improves to 15-16 overall, 5-3 in the MAC. Eastern is 9-24, 1-6.
"We got the hits when we needed them and pitching when we needed it," CMU coach Margo Jonker said. "It wasn't the prettiest game, but we got the win and that's what its all about."
Central Michigan committed two errors in the win.
Kristen Kuhlman highlighted the Chippewas offense with two this and two RBI.
Maison Kalina and Kristen Goodall also tallied two hits on the day while driving in a run apiece. One of Goodall's hits was a sixth-inning solo homer that upped CMU's lead to 6-4.
Hanna Warren (4-7) made the start for the Chippewas, going 4 2/3 innings while earning the win. Warren gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits, two walks and two strikeouts.
Rachael Knapp came in to pitch in the fifth inning after Warren surrendered a two-run homer to Abi Clark, which pulled Eastern within 5-4.
Knapp slammed the door, working 2 1/3 hitless innings while striking out three to earn the save, her second of the season.
Knapp also started Saturday's game pitching seven innings in the win.
"Well Rachael is very good pitcher and I certainly have a lot of confidence in her," Jonker said. "Her teammates have a lot of confidence in her as well, so when so comes in we feel like we are in pretty good shape."
The Chippewas broke a 2-2 tie with three runs in the fourth inning. Sara Hansen led off the inning with a walk and Kalina followed with a single. Goodall bunted for a base hit and Hansen scored on a throwing error to make it 3-2.
Lacy Tolfree added an RBI sacrifice fly and Kuhlman drove in a run with a single to make it 5-2.
The Chippewas return to action on April 14 at Oakland in a non-conference doubleheader. CMU entertains Kent State and Buffalo in MAC games next weekend. The Chippewas and Flashes will playa doubleheader on Friday, then CMU and Buffalo will play single games on Saturday and Sunday.
