Central Michigan University
NIU
Chippewas Split At Northern Illinois
5/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
DeKALB, Ill. - Maison Kalina hit a three-run homer and Lacy Tolfree added a solo shot Friday in leading the Central Michigan softball team to a 5-4 victory over Northern Illinois in the first game of a Mid-American Conference doubleheader at the Huskies' Mary M. Bell Field.
NIU rebounded to take an 8-3 victory in the nightcap.
The Chippewas are 23-25-1 overall, 10-11-1 MAC. NIU is 33-17, 13-9. The teams meet on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the final game of the regular season. A win gives the Chippewas a spot in the Mid-American Conference Tournament, which begins on Wednesday in Akron, Ohio.
Rachael Knapp (13-12) went the distance in the circle for the victory in game one on Friday. She allowed nine hits, struck out six and walked two.
Allison Curtis' two-out RBI single in the top of the seventh of the opener upped CMU's lead to 5-2.
NIU used a hit batsman, a triple and a single to draw to 5-4 in the bottom of the inning, then Knapp got a fly out, a strikeout and a popup to end the game, stranding the potential tying run at first base.
Katelyn Rentschler had three hits and Tolfree and Curtis finished with two apiece to lead CMU at the plate.
Keegan Hayes (5-4) took the loss in relief of Alex Frenz. Hayes allowed one run on five hits, struck out two and walked three over three innings.
Kati Grable had three hits and Dominique Greeno homered to lead NIU at the plate.
Emily Naegele's fifth-inning two-run homer broke a 3-3 tie to lift the Huskies in the nightcap.
Hanna Warren (7-10) allowed six runs on eight hits, walked two and struck out one over four innings in taking the loss. Laura Vaccaro worked two innings in relief for the Chippewas. She surrendered two runs on two hits, walked three and struck out one.
NIU starer Tara Thacker (10-7) allowed three runs on five hits over five innings in picking up the win. She walked two and struck out four.
Sara Hansen and Kalina had two hits apiece and Rentschler doubled to lead the Chippewas at the plate. Rentschler had two RBI.
