Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewa Softball Entertains Toledo
4/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Having lost three straight games and four of its last five, the Central Michigan softball team is searching for a spark when it plays host to Toledo in a three-game Mid-American Conference series this weekend.
For the Chippewas, a three-game home series might be just what the doctor ordered. They are 4-2-1 this season at Margo Jonker Stadium.
CMU (15-21-1 overall, 2-8-1 in the MAC) and the Rockets (8-28, 3-8) open the series on Friday at 3 p.m. They are scheduled to play a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m.
Sitting in last place in the MAC West with 12 games left on the conference schedule, it becomes critical that the Chippewas start to string together wins if they wish to make the postseason.
"Right now every game is a big game for us," CMU coach Margo Jonker said. "I think it's important that we take it one game at a time and that we understand that every game we're going to play is going to big. "
Toledo sits in fifth place and one game ahead of Central Michigan in the West. Jessica Lemiuex leads the Rocket hitters with a .357 batting average. Toledo's top pitcher, Maria Gooding, is 7-12 with a 4.21 earned run average.
Although the win total hasn't met their standards so far this season, there is plenty talent on the Chippewa roster, and are capable of a strong late season run with more consistent all-around play.
The Chippewas have shown the ability to perform in all facets of the game this season but the offensive capability is one the biggest reason to remain optimistic
CMU enters play ranked third in the conference in team batting average (.287) and is tied for fourth in hits (271).
Led by veteran hitters such as CarolAnn Sexauer, and returning MAC player of the year Katelyn Rentschler, the offense has also gotten a jolt from several first-year players such as Allison Curtis, Rachael Vieira and Sydney Heath.
Heath, a sophomore, is in her first year at CMU after transferring from Michigan State. She has emerged as one of the more consistent performers in the Chippewas lineup this season.
"It's been a really good situation for me so far," said Heath, an outfielder who has settled in to the No. 5 spot in the batting order. "It's been really great bonding with my teammates. We wish our record was a little better, but we're working hard every day to improve and get better."
Heath leads the Chippewas and ranks sixth in the MAC with a .376 batting average and has driven in 17 runs, good for third on the team."I've just been feeling really confident (at the plate)," Heath said. I've been being aggressive trying to get on base and just working hard in every at bat."
With teammates Curtis, Sara Hansen and Lacy Tolfree receiving the majority of starts in the outfield, Heath has stepped into the designated hitter position for the first time in her career.
She has hit safely in seven consecutive games, and is 12-for-26 in a nine-game span going back to a March 30 game at Michigan State, in which she had three hits.
"(Jonker) just kind of put me in the lineup and said 'Alright you're going to be the designated hitter for us,'" Heath said. "I'll do anything for the team, designated hit, pinch run or play the outfield, it doesn't matter. I just want to be the best I can be at it."
With the end of the regular season in sight, Heath and the Chippewas know they need to start playing better and getting some wins.
"I think we just need to be more confident and just trust in each other and trust in ourselves," she said. "We're a very talented team, so if we can produce that from the inside, we'll be able to produce wins on the field."
This weekend's series is the second-to-last at home for the Chippewas. Their final home set is against MAC rival Eastern Michigan April 29-30.
