Central Michigan University
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
No. 5 Western Michigan
Chippewas Open Tourney With a Win
5/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
AKRON, Ohio -- Rachael Knapp was solid in the circle and Central Michigan seized on an early scoring opportunity Wednesday in topping Western Michigan, 2-0, in the opening game of the Mid-American Conference Softball Tournament at Firestone Stadium.
The Chippewas (26-21), who were seeded fourth, will play top-seeded Kent State (40-11) on Thursday at 1 p.m. The Chippewas split a doubleheader with Kent State in mid-April. The Golden Flashes defeated Ohio in their opener on Wednesday.
Knapp (16-10) allowed four hits, struck out seven and did not walk a batter in earning the win. The Chippewas backed her with error-free defense.
"Defensively we played really well," CMU coach Margo Jonker said. "Knapp did a great job pitching and Maison (Kalina) behind the plate did a really nice job. Defense was the key to this game."
Kristen Kuhlman singled and doubled to lead the Chippewas at the plate.
The Chippewas scored both of their runs -- both unearned -- in the second inning without a ball leaving the infield.
Chelsea DeLamielleure led off with a walk and Sara Hansen reached on an error. A Kalina bunt moved DeLamielleure to third and Hansen to second. DeLamielleure scored on Kristen Goodall's infield single.
Pinch hitter Karly Hansen followed with a chopper back to the pitcher that scored Sara Hansen.
"Getting two runs early is a little bit of relief, but we've been doing that too often, not scoring more as the game goes on," Jonker said. "It's exciting to win the first game of the tournament. You want to stay in the winners bracket the whole time.
"A lot of nerves going into it, a lot of freshman on the field playing in the tournament for the first time. To get that first win helps a lot."
Knapp held the Broncos (21-25) to one hit through four innings. Western managed a hit in each of the last three innings, but Knapp stranded the runner in each case.
Western Michigan will play Ohio in an elimination game on Thursday morning.
