Central Michigan University
Toledo
Chippewas Win With A Walk-Off Homer
4/15/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Katelyn Rentschler lef off the bottom of the seventh inning with a home run to left field Friday, lifting the Central Michigan softball team to a 2-1 victory over Toledo in a Mid-American Conference game at Margo Jonker Stadium.
It was the second home run of the day for Rentschler, who drove one over the wall in straightaway center field in the fourth inning to tie the game, 1-1.
"I went up (to the plate) pretty confident because of my first at-bat," Rentschler said. "I was just thinking 'stay behind the ball' and swing fast."
The walk-off win is the first of the season for the Chippewas and the second career game-winning blast for Rentschler, a senior who leads CMU with eight home runs.
CMU improves to 16-21 overall with a 3-8-1 mark in conference play. The Rockets fall to 8-29, 3-9. The teams close the their three-game weekend series on Saturday with a doubleheader at 1 p.m.
The walk-off gave the Chippewas a much-needed shot of confidence as they put an end to the three-game losing streak.
"I thought it was a really exciting game no matter which way it would have gone," CMU coach Margo Jonker said. "It was a very challenging game and I was excited about how the team responded.
"We're hoping this win can energize us a little bit. I know going through the lineup (after the game), a number of them said that 'we're back' so that's exciting that they believe that."
Junior Rachael Knapp (8-11) found her rhythm in the circle for CMU as she pitched a complete game, allowing just four hits with seven strikeouts. It was her first win since March 22.
"Knapp pitched really well, best I've seen her pitch in awhile, so I think maybe she's back," Jonker said.
The Chippewas outhit the Rockets, 6-4, and played error-free defense.
In an effort to boost run production from the top of the lineup, Jonker bumped sophomore Sara Hansen to the leadoff spot. Hansen singled to lead off the bottom of the first.
"I figured, we're not scoring a lot of runs so I might as well try something different," Jonker said. "Hansen is a really good base runner. Anytime we can have her on the bases more we like it so that's what we did today."
CarolAnn Sexauer and Maison Kalina doubled for the Chippewas, and Allison Curtis added a single.
Toledo got its run in the second inning on a double, a groundout and a sacrifice fly by Danni Ryan.
CMU will look to ride the momentum into Saturday's twinbill. The Chippewas have not won back-to-back games since sweeping Valparaiso in a March 22 doubleheader.
"I think (the win) really fired us up today and we gained a lot of energy," Rentschler said. "We're just going to try to keep this going tomorrow and keep having fun."
