Central Michigan University
Toledo
Chippewas Rally to Gain MAC Split
5/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- Chelsea DeLamielleure had three hits including a triple and Kristen Goodall homered Friday as the Central Michigan softball team downed Toledo, 7-4, to earn a split of a Mid-American Conference doubleheader at Margo Jonker Stadium.
Toledo won the opener, 2-0. CMU is 24-20 overall, 11-7 MAC, and has wrapped up a berth in the league tournament, which begins next week, in Akron.
Where the Chippewas will be seeded will be determined over the next two days. CMU plays host to Bowling Green on Saturday and Sunday. The Chippewas are tied for fourth place with Northern Illinois.
The Chippewas scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 4-4 tie in the nightcap on Friday.
The rally started with two out and none on when Trista Cox doubled, Katelyn Rentschler singled and DeLamielleure was intentionally walked to load the bases.
Sara Hansen was hit by a pitch to force in a run and break the tie, then freshman Maison Kalina delivered a big two-run single to make it 7-4.
Sophomore Rachael Knapp (16-9) went the final 1 2/3 innings in relief of starter Hanna Warren to earn the win. Warren, a freshman, allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits while walking three and striking out two over 5 1/3 innings.
Kristen Kuhlman, Hansen and Kalina finished with two hits apiece and Hansen drove in three runs. Goodell's homer, a two-run shot in the second, was her eighth of the season.
Emily Anderson (11-17) took the loss. She allowed 12 hits, walked three and struck out three.
Anderson won a pitchers duel with Knapp in the opener.
Knapp surrendered just two hits, walked four and struck out eight. Anderson allowed six hits, walked one and struck out one. The Chippewas stranded seven baserunners, including two in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh.
Toledo got its runs in the top of the seventh after Knapp retired the first two batters. A single and two walks loaded the bases, and the Rockets scored the game's runs on a wild pitch and an error.
"I thought Knapp pitched well in the first game until the last inning," Jonker said. "She all of a sudden couldn't find the plate and threw some wild pitches."
Goodall doubled for the Chippewas, who also stranded two runners in the fourth and sixth innings.
"We had a lot of situations where we weren't getting very many key hits at all," Jonker said. "We weren't driving the ball very well. We just didn't get much solid contact and when we did, they made a great play."
