Central Michigan University
Iona
CMU Softball Splits With Iona, USC Upstate
3/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
James Youness, CMUChippewas.com
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Sydney Heath had two hits including a three-run home run Saturday to lead the Central Michigan softball team to a 6-1 victory over Iona.
CMU dropped its second game of the day, 1-0, to South Carolina Upstate. The Chippewas (10-12) are scheduled to play Winthrop Sunday at 11:15 a.m. in the final game of their Spring Break trip.
Hanna Warren allowed three hits and walked one for the win over Iona. Laura Vaccaro worked three innings in relief and allowed one run on four hits.
"Going into the game we decided to split the time," CMU coach Margo Jonker said. "Our plan was to share the time and we were happy to be able to do that."
Rachel Vieira had three hits and two RBI for the Chippewas, while Maison Kalina, Gina Munson and Sydney Heath each singled.
Heath's homer, which came with two out in the fourth inning, was her second of the season.
"Sydney had a couple key hits for us today," Jonker said. "The home run helped tremendously to gain the win. It's great to have different people hitting well at different times."
The second game went to extra innings and employed the international tie-breaker rule, where a runner is placed on second base to start each half inning.
With the runner at second, the Chippewas walked Upstate's leadoff hitter to set up a potential double play, but the next batter delivered a run-scoring base hit to end the game.
Rachael Knapp gave up five hits, struck out 10 and walked one in taking the loss.
"Rachael pitched the second game very well," CMU coach Margo Jonker said. "That's a tough team that's receiving votes to become a top 25 ranked team."
Lacy Tolfree, Sara Hansen, Sydney Heath and Allison Curtis each singled for CMU.
Holly McKinnon (12-1) went the distance for the Spartans (22-3), striking out 12.
