Central Michigan University
No. 2 Michigan
Chippewas Fall Short In Upset Bid At Michigan
4/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The fight was there. The result wasn't.
The Central Michigan softball team turned a valiant effort in Wednesday's non-conference matchup against No. 2-ranked Michigan, but came up short falling, 5-2, at U-M's Wilpon Softball Complex.
With the loss, the Chippewas slip to 20-23-1 overall and are 1-4 against nationally ranked opponents this season. The Wolverines are 38-4.
"I thought we competed well," CMU coach Margo Jonker said. "I was really proud of how the team competed, and I was really proud of (Rachael) Knapp in the circle. The (strike) zone was pretty small, and for her to suck it up and continue to pitch well … and they're a really good-hitting team. A lot of power.
"I thought Knapp did a really nice job, I thought our defense did really well and I thought we compete well."
Trailing 3-0, the Chippewas broke through on a CarolAnn Sexauer RBI single.
Michigan answered in the bottom of the inning as Sierra Lawrence smacked a two-run homer, extending the lead, 5-1.
The Chippewas threatened in the seventh as they loaded the bases with no outs, but they could muster just one run, that coming on an RBI grounder off the bat of Chelsea DeLamielleure.
CMU couldn't capitalize on the one-out opportunity as Taylor Lewallen struck out and Sara Hansen grounded out to end the game.
CMU finished with a total of six hits a played error-free defense behind Knapp, who allowed seven hits.
Maison Kalina had two hits to lead the Chippewas at the plate, while Lacy Tolfree, Katelyn Rentschler and Kayla Noch each singled.
Knapp (11-12) saw her five-start win streak come to an end. She went the distance, walking five and striking out two.
Lawrence, the Wolverines' leadoff hitter, finished with three hits and drove in three runs. Sara Driesenga (18-0) went the distance in the circle for Michigan, striking out seven.
It marked CMU's final non-conference game of the season. The Chippewas play their final home series this weekend against Mid-American Conference foe Eastern Michigan at Margo Jonker Stadium.
CMU is 7-9-1 in the league, while the Eagles are 18-27 overall, 7-9-1 MAC. Eastern is third in the MAC West, while CMU is percentage points behind in fourth. In the overall MAC standings, the Chippewas are ninth. The top eight teams make the MAC Tournament.
The series begins Friday at 3 p.m. with a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m.
CMU closes the regular season the following weekend with a three-game set at Northern Illinois.
