Central Michigan University Athletics
Softball Looks To Build On Momentum
4/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Just one week ago, the Central Michigan softball team was in last place in the Mid-American Conference West Division, on three-game losing streak and desperately seeking a shot of confidence.
The Chippewas received that dose of confidence last weekend with a three-game conference sweep of Toledo at Margo Jonker Stadium.
"We really needed to win because we were in a rut and we had to figure out a way to get out of it," CMU coach Margo Jonker said. "The way we played the games this past week was outstanding, that's how we wanted to play all year long."
The sweep improved the Chippewas to 18-21-1 overall and 5-8-1 MAC, which bumped them up to fourth in the West.
CMU scored 23 runs in the series, which matched their total run production in their eight previous games.
"This past weekend we did a really good job of being aggressive at the plate," Jonker said. "We were a lot looser and it was more about doing your job as opposed to worrying about everything else."
The Chippewas will look to carry the momentum into this weekend's MAC series at Ball State (18-27, 4-11).
CMU is scheduled to face the Cardinals in a single game on Friday (3 p.m.) followed by a twinbill (1 p.m.) on Saturday.
Ball State enters play ranked fourth in the MAC in home runs (52) and is fifth in the West.
"Our focus is the same as what we've been trying to do all year, take it one game at a time," Jonker said. "We know what we have to do, we have to be aggressive and do all the little things right and execute."
CMU ranks third in the league in team batting average (.293), slugging percentage (.434) and its pitchers have racked up 213 strikeouts, good for third in the MAC.
Sophomore Sydney Heath leads the Chippewas at the plate with a .365 batting average, which ranks eighth in the conference. Freshman Allison Curtis, who was named the MAC West player of the week after the Toledo series, is batting .355, which is good for 10th in the league.
CarolAnn Sexauer has been one of the most consistent run producers for the Chippewas all season. She leads the team with 27 RBI and is second behind teammate Katelyn Rentschler in home runs with six.
"CarolAnn is a great player and a great person," Jonker said of her shortstop. "She puts her heart and soul into everything she does and that all you can ask for from a student athlete."
Junior Rachael Knapp leads the Chippewas in the circle with nine wins (against 11 losses), a 3.06 ERA and 148 strikeouts. Hanna Warren is 7-7 with a 3.60 ERA.
Madison Lee leads the Cardinals and ranks ninth in the MAC in batting average (.366). Ball State's top pitcher, Nicole Steinbach, is 14-14 with a 3.56 EAR.
The Chippewas close out non-conference play next Wednesday as they head to Ann Arbor to battle in-state rival Michigan, which is 34-4 and ranked third nationally.
