Central Michigan University
Michigan State
Chippewas topple Michigan State, look to big weekend
4/29/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- The Central Michigan softball team concluded its non-conference schedule Wednesday, taking down in-state rival Michigan State, 3-1, at Margo Jonker Stadium.
"It's always good to beat in-state rivals," CMU coach Margo Jonker said. "It means a lot especially because their coach (Jacquie Joseph) played here at Central and one of our coaches (Jessica Bracamonte) played at State."
CMU, which is 9-0 against in-state opponents this season, is 23-19 overall. MSU is 17-35.
Rachael Knapp (15-8) pitched her 17th complete game of the season for the Chippewas, who played error-free defense behind her. She gave four hits and struck out five. Two of the Spartans' hits came in the first inning when they scored their only run of the game.
"Knapp had a good day today, she didn't walk anybody and our defense played well behind her and (she) pitched very good game overall," Jonker said.
Trista Cox and Sara Hansen had two hits apiece to lead CMU's nine-hit attack. Chelsea DeLamielleure tripled.
The Chippewas will now prepare for a critical weekend home stand to close out the regular season with four Mid-American Conference games.
CMU will play a doubleheader with Toledo on Friday followed by single games against Bowling Green on Saturday and Sunday.
Central Michigan is deadlocked with Northern Illinois and Western Michigan for fourth place in the MAC. All are 10-6. Both Western and NIU will play two games each against Kent State and Buffalo this weekend.
The top eight teams in the conference qualify for an appearance in the MAC tournament May 6-9 in Akron, Ohio.
Jonker's message to her team heading into this weekend is a simple one, "stay focused," she said, adding that she has stressed a one-game-at-a-time mentality.
