Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
NIU
Chippewas Split, Remain in Tie for 4th
4/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
DeKALB, Ill. -- Trista Cox hit a three-run homer and Rachael Knapp came out of the bullpen to earn the win Sunday as the Central Michigan softball team defeated Northern Illinois, 10-7, in the second game of a Mid-American Conference doubleheader at the Huskies' Mary M. Bell Field.
Northern Illinois won a 2-1 pitchers duel in the opener. The game-two win completed a crucial 3-1 weekend for the Chippewas as they improved to 22-19 overall, 10-6 league.
The Chippewas stand tied for fourth place in the MAC with NIU and Western Michigan with four games to play. The top eight teams advance to the league tournament. CMU swept the Broncos in Kalamazoo on Friday.
CMU, which plays host to Michigan State in a non-conference game on Wednesday, closes regular-season MAC play next weekend with four home games, two each against Toledo and Bowling Green.
Cox's home run, her fifth of the season, broke a 4-4 tie. Karly Hansen added a two-run pinch-hit double later in the inning, and when the dust settled, CMU led, 9-4.
Knapp (14-8) went the final 4 2/3 innings in relief of starter Hanna Warren. Knapp allowed three runs on five hits while striking out six. Warren, who walked two and struck out one, surrendered four runs on five hits.
Cox, Kristen Kuhlman, Katelyn Rentschler and Chelsea DeLamielleure had two hits apiece for the Chippes. One of Rentschler's hits was a double.
NIU starter Keegan Hayes (13-8) took the loss. She allowed seven runs on six hits over 3 1/3 innings. Tara Thacker went the final 3 2/3 in relief. They combined to strike out seven and walk eight.
Knapp allowed three hits, struck out three and walked three in going the distance in the opener. Jessica Sturm (11-10) struck out six in tossing a two-hitter for the win.
Rentschler had both of CMU's hits, one a fourth-inning solo homer, her team-leading 10th of the season.
Both of NIU's runs came in the second inning. Allyson Hecht drove in the first run with a two-out double and she later scored, unearned, on an error. It was the only error of the day for the Chippewas.
