Central Michigan University
Mercer
Chippewa Softball Drops Two on Opening Day
2/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MACON, Ga. - The Central Michigan softball team opened the 2016 season on Friday with a pair of losses in the Mercer Invitational.
The Chippewas dropped their opener to Pittsburgh, 2-0, then fell to the host Bears, 5-3.
The Chippewas play St. Bonaventure on Saturday (10 a.m.) and will play a fourth and final game in the tournament on Saturday afternoon against an opponent to be determined.
CMU managed just three hits off Pitt starter Kayla Harris, who struck out seven. Against Mercer, CMU collected seven hits, but couldn't dig out of an early 5-0 hole.
"The first game I was really disappointed with our offense," CMU coach Margo Jonker said. "Some parts of our game I was disappointed with, and some parts I was excited about.
"Some of our newcomers did a nice job, and some of our returners didn't hit as well as I thought they can. Kind of a mix of emotions today."
Sara Hansen doubled and CarolAnn Sexauer and Katelyn Rentschler each singled for CMU against Pitt.
Rachael Knapp went the distance in taking the loss. She allowed four hits, struck out 10 and walked three.
"Her rise ball, which is her bread and butter, was not as sharp," Jonker said. "Considering that I thought she did really well. She's been sick for the last week and it certainly wasn't the best game she`s pitched for us, but considering everything I thought she did a nice job."
Mercer scored all five of its runs, all earned, in the first three innings off losing pitcher Hanna Warren. Warren struck out two, walked three and surrendered six hits.
Laura Vaccaro, in her first appearance in a Chippewa uniform, worked four innings in relief of Warren. She allowed two hits, walked two and struck out two.
Hansen, Sydney Heath and Allison Curtis had two hits apiece for the Chippewas. One of Heath's hits was a homer, and one of Hansen's was a double. Maison Kalina added a single.
Winning pitcher Jill McElderry struck out three.
"Can't be too high or too low," Jonker said. "We talked about that, that one day doesn't define the season. It's really important that we stick to the plan and we get better every game. Offensively we got better the second game. Overall disappointed to lose two games, but it's one day at a time."
