CMU Softball Eyes MAC Tournament
4/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- At this point, there are no guarantees for the Central Michigan softball team as it enters the final week of the regular season.
The Chippewas, who are 22-19 overall, 10-6 MAC, play host to Toledo (20-30, 5-13) in a doubleheader on Friday, then entertain Bowling Green (18-26, 6-12) in single games on Saturday and on Sunday.
CMU is tied for fourth overall in the conference standings with Northern Illinois and Western Michigan. Ball State and Kent State share the league lead at 13-4. Miami (Ohio) is third at 12-6.
After the CMU-Western-NIU logjam are a number of teams -- Ohio, Akron, Bowling Green and Toledo -- who are still mathematically in the hunt for a spot in the tournament.
One way the Chippewas can guarantee themselves a berth in the tournament, regardless of what happens at the various other diamonds around the MAC this weekend, is to win their games at Margo Jonker Stadium.
CMU is coming off a 3-1 non-conference win over Michigan State on Wednesday. The Chippewas have won four of their last five and are 15-4 in the month of April.
The Chippewas will honor three seniors, Trista Cox, Karly Hansen and Kristen Kuhlman, on Senior Day on Sunday, their home finale.
Last weekend, CMU went on the road and swept a doubleheader from Western Michigan and split a pair with Northern Illinois.
The Chippewas swept individual MAC West honors with Rachael Knapp earning pitcher of the week honors and Katelyn Rentschler taking home player of the week accolades.
It was the fourth time this season that Knapp, a sophomore right-hander, has earned pitcher of the week honors. After starting the season 1-4, she is 15-8 with a 2.16 earned run average with 170 strikeouts against 61 walks in 161 2/3 innings. She is 10-3 in her last 13 decisions.
In her last eight games, Rentschler is hitting .545 (12-for-22) with three home runs and eight RBI. On the season, she leads the Chippewas with 10 homers and 32 RBI.
