Central Michigan University
Valparaiso
Chippewas Sweep In Home Opener
3/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- Rachel Vieira homered in the opener and CarolAnn Sexauer hit two home runs in the nightcap Tuesday as the Central Michigan softball team swept a non-conference doubleheader from Valparaiso in the Chippewas' home opener at Margo Jonker Stadium.
The Chippewas took game one, 10-1, and won the nightcap, 5-3. The opener was called after five innings because of the run rule.
"We're at home and we won two ball games, that's the most important thing," CMU coach Margo Jonker said. "We had some different people come through for us today and they were really good team wins."
CMU (13-12) climbed above the .500 mark for the first time since the first weekend of the season. Valparaiso is 3-17.
The Chippewas collected a season-high 15 hits - six of them for extra bases -- in game one and did not commit an error in either game.
Lacy Tolfree and Allison Curtis had three hits and drove in two runs apiece to lead CMU in the opener, while Kayla Noch added two hits and drove in a run.
Vieira, a freshman, smacked her first career home run in the third inning, a two-run shot to center.
"I really noticed that in practice this week that (Vieira) was hitting the ball much better with a little more pop on the bat," Jonker said. "To have it translate into a game is great."
Junior Rachael Knapp (7-5) went the distance in the circle, striking out nine, walking two and surrendering five hits.
"I felt great out there," Knapp said. "I had my offense behind me which gave me a lot more confidence.
"I've just been focusing on my pitches, getting them better, making them spin more and working on my speed and mechanics."
Sexauer paced the Chippewas' eight-hit attack in the nightcap, finishing with two homers, a double and three RBI.
"I was just seeing the ball well and trying to relax and have fun and it ended up working out well for me," Sexauer said. " It feels great to be back. I love playing at home and I love our field so it was fun."
Sexauer, a senior, missed most of last season with injury and has also missed some time from the starting lineup in recent weeks.
"It's great to have CarolAnn back because she's been out for awhile," Jonker said. "Having her in the lineup was good and having her come through with a few huge hits was great."
The Chippewas broke a 3-3 tie in the fourth when Sara Hansen singled, stole second and scored on a Vieira single. Sexauer homered in the fifth to give the Chippewas a two-run cushion.
Sophomore Hanna Warren (4-5) allowed three runs on seven hits, walked two and struck out two over four innings for the victory. Laura Vaccaro blanked Valparaiso over the final three frames, striking out four, walking one and allowing three hits.
Vaccaro entered after the Crusaders' Taylor Nadler doubled to lead off the fifth inning. Valparaiso eventually loaded the bases, but Vaccaro worked out of the jam, getting a force out at home and a strikeout to end the inning.
"We need all of our pitchers to come through for us, we can't rely on one pitcher this year," Jonker said. "I think it's important that all of our pitchers contribute and all three contributed today."
The Chippewas open Mid-American Conference play this weekend, traveling to Kent State (17-7) for a single game on Friday and a doubleheader on Saturday.
"We wanted to go in (to MAC play) on a winning note," Jonker said. "Kent State is very good right now and have been hot this year so hopefully we can shut them down when we get out there."
