Central Michigan University
Akron
Snow Kidding: Chippewas Rally For 5-Inning Tie
4/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
James Youness, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. â€" The Central Michigan softball team concluded its three-game Mid-American Conference series with Akron on Saturday with a 4-4 tie at Margo Jonker Stadium.
The game ended after five innings due to severe weather conditions. The Chippewas and Zips split a doubleheader on Friday. CMU is 14-17-1 overall, 1-4-1 MAC. Akron is 18-16-1, 2-3-1.
It marked the first time the Chippewas have played a tie game since 1998.
"It was a unique game," CMU coach Margo Jonker said. "We've played in snow before, but I don't think we've played in this much snow before."
Akron seized a 1-0 lead in the second inning then extended its lead to 4-0 with a four-run fifth. The Chippewas answered with four runs on five hits in the bottom of the fifth to tie it.
"Before the fifth inning we talked about this possibly being the end of the game," Jonker said. "I asked if everyone was aware because we have a lot of new players on the team. I reminded them that the game could be over after the fifth inning. It was a matter of us not wanting the game to end, so I told them to do something to make sure the game doesn't end.
"We really came through with a lot of emotion and a lot of focus and some key hits."
Rachael Vieira doubled for CMU to lead off the fifth and Lacy Tolfree followed with an infield single. Allison Curtis doubled in Vieira, then CarolAnn Sexauer delivered a two-run double. Sexauer went to third on a fly out and scored on a Sydney Heath single.
CMU has two days off then hosts Western Michigan in a Mid-American Conference doubleheader on Tuesday at 1 p.m.
Sexauer, Curtis and Heath finished with two hits apiece. The Chippewas outhit the Zips, 10-4.
"It was a good day for CarolAnn," coach Margo Jonker said. "She had two RBIs and she's been doing a really nice job both offensively and defensively for us."
Laura Vaccaro started for CMU and went four innings. Rachael Knapp came on in the fifth. Vaccaro surrendered three runs on three hits and struck out three. Knapp allowed one run on one hit and struck out one.
Akron starter Erin Seiler allowed four runs on 10 hits and struck out four.
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