Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
North Dakota
Chippewas Split A Pair On Day 1 In Florida
2/17/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Lindsay Gerber, CMUChippewas.com
MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. - Central Michigan softball split its first two games on Friday on the opening day of the third annual EMU Madiera Beach Invitational, hosted by Eastern Michigan University.
Redshirt freshman Kaila Fulker's one-out RBI single down the right field line in the bottom of the seventh inning gave the Chippewas a 1-0 walk-off win over North Dakota.
CMU dropped its second game of the day, 3-0, to Quinnipiac.
The win over North Dakota (4-2) was CMU's first victory of the season. Winning pitcher Rachael Knapp went the distance, striking out 15 and walking three in tossing a two-hitter.
CMU (1-6) did not commit an error behind Knapp, who did not allow a hit after the second inning and set down the final 10 Bison hitters in order.
"Rachael's ball was really popping today," CMU coach Margo Jonker said. "Her rise ball was doing really well. She was mixing different pitches in to set up her rise ball. She did a really great job."
Pinch-hitter Sydney Heath singled to right-center field with one out and Perlberg pinch ran. She stole second and scored on Fulker's hit.
The Chippewas collected six hits. Lacy Tolfree, Rachel Vieira, Maison Kalina, and Taylor Lewallen each singled.
The Chippewas managed just four hits in falling to Quinnipiac (1-1).
Hanna Warren allowed three runs on four hits while walking two and striking out two in taking the loss. Laura Vaccaro went the final two innings, surrendering two hits, walking one and striking out one.
Danielle Marlink doubled for Central Michigan, while Tolfree, Sydney Heath and Allison Curtis each singled.
Winning pitcher Casey Herzog struck out nine.
"Hit the ball." Jonker said about how the team needs to be effective offensively. "Better pitch selection, be more aggressive. Just going up there with a plan and sticking to the plan."
CMU will play two games on Saturday, the first against Robert Morris (9 a.m.), the second against Massachusetts (2 p.m.).
