Central Michigan University
Ohio State
CMU Softball Falls In 8 Innings
2/12/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Lindsay Gerber, CMUChippewas.com
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Central Michigan came up short on Sunday in its final game of the Texas A&M Aggie Classic, falling to Ohio State 5-1 in eight innings.
The Chippewas finished 0-5 in the season-opening tournament. They are scheduled to play five games in three days next weekend in Madeira Beach, Fla.
CMU opened the tournament with a 10-0 loss to Ohio State, then lost two games to Lamar, 7-5 and 7-3, and fell to No. 19 Texas A&M, 8-5.
"I thought we started off really shaky," CMU coach Margo Jonker said. "We got stronger every day. That's what we need to do.
"Today we played a good game. We had some great efforts by the outfielders, some diving tries. We turned a 4-6-3 double play in the first inning. There were a lot of positives that way."
The Chippewas struck first against the Buckeyes (3-1) when freshman Morgan Gardner, who had five hits in 12 at-bats in the tournament, singled to lead off the third. Pinch-runner Sara Hansen moved to second on a Taylor Lewallen bunt and scored on an Evelyn Lorimer single.
The Buckeyes used a hit batsman, a wild pitch and a two-out double to push across a run in the fifth, tying it 1-1.
Ohio State scored four runs on four hits in the top of the eighth to seize the win.
Losing pitcher Rachel Knapp (0-3), who pitched in every game of the tournament, went 7 2/3 innings. She allowed eight hits and struck out three. Junior Taylor Weaver went the final one-third of an inning for the Chippewas.
"Rachael Knapp pitched an outstanding game." Jonker said. "You can't go through a lineup of good hitters four times and not give up a few hits. I thought she pitched extremely well. And (catcher) Maison (Kalina) played a great game behind the plate."
Despite going 0-5 in the season-opening tournament, there were several bright spots for the Chippewas. Allison Curtis shared the team lead with Gardner with five hits, and Rachel Vieira and Gardner each homered in the tournament.
"Morgan Gardner had a home and to have some other key hits, that was huge for a freshman." Said Jonker.
