Central Michigan University Athletics
Softball's Final Home Series Critical To Tourney Hopes
4/28/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- Central Michigan softball coach Margo Jonker has never been one to put more emphasis on one game or a series over another. That's for everyone else to worry about.
The reality is CMU is entering a critical stretch in Mid-American Conference competition as it plays host to rival Eastern Michigan in a three-game weekend series.
Friday's game begins a 3 p.m. The teams are scheduled to close the series with a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m.
The Chippewas are 20-23-1, 7-9-1 MAC. They stand fourth in the MAC West and ninth overall. The top eight teams qualify for the MAC Tournament. CMU closes the regular season with a three-game set next weekend at Northern Illinois.
Just percentage points ahead of CMU in third place in the division and eighth overall are the Eagles (18-27, 8-9).
Jonker, who is in her 37th season at the helm of the program, is well aware of her team's situation, and stresses the one-game-at-a-time mentality.
"It's all a matter of discipline, they have to be disciplined and we all have to be disciplined," Jonker said. "If we don't play well in game one then why look at game two, and it's the same thing with an at-bat or a pitch -- one at a time."
CMU will look to build on some confidence gained from Wednesday's 5-2 loss to No. 2-ranked Michigan, a game in which the Chippewas showed fight, giving the Wolverines a scare by loading the bases in the top of the seventh inning.
"I thought we played well in Ann Arbor," Jonker said "Our defense was outstanding, our hitting wasn't bad, and we competed well and really challenged them with the bases loaded in the last inning. It was a good ball game for us; we just didn't get the win."
The Chippewas will also aim to capitalize on a struggling Eastern Michigan team that has dropped four straight, including a 3-1 walk-off loss to Michigan State on Wednesday.
"Eastern is going to come in with a lot of incentive to win, we need to make sure shut them down," Jonker said. "It's our last home weekend so let's give the fans a great series because we have awesome fans."
This weekend's series will also mark the last time the five seniors will suit up at Margo Jonker Stadium. CMU's Chelsea DeLamielleure, Katelyn Rentschler, CarolAnn Sexauer, Michelle Dornan and Kristan Goodall will be honored during Saturday's doubleheader.
"We have a very talented senior class," Jonker said. "You look at Chelsea, CarolAnn and Rentschler, they have all started four years for us. They're all great athletes and great people and I hope they go out there and have a great weekend."
