Central Michigan University
No. 20 Michigan
CMU Falls To No. 20 Michigan
3/28/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Lindsay Gerber, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Allison Curtis had the Central Michigan softball team's solo hit of the game in their nonconference 2-0 loss against No. 20 Michigan on Tuesday at Margo Jonker Stadium.
The Chippewas lost their second straight, falling to 17-9. The Wolverines, who have won nine straight, improved to 23-7-1.
CMU will return to conference play against Kent State on Friday (3 p.m.) for the first of a Mid-American Conference three-game home series. Both teams are 2-1 in MAC play. The Golden Flashes are 10-15 overall.
Losing pitcher Rachael Knapp (10-5), who on Monday was named MAC West Pitcher of the Week, went the distance. She allowed five hits, struck out two, and walked one
"Knapp pitched really well, it was a really good game for her," CMU coach Margo Jonker said. "Both pitchers did a great job and I'm really proud of Rachael for keeping them down that much."
Winning pitcher Megan Betsa (11-5), who leads the nation in strikeouts, got her 200th of the season as she went the distance for Michigan, striking out nine and walking two.
Kelly Christner homered to left field in the third inning to give Michigan a 1-0 lead. Her fifth-inning RBI single brought in an insurance run.
Curtis had CMU's only hit when she singled in the fourth inning. Maison Kalina moved Curtis to second with a sacrifice bunt, but that's as far as any Chippewa would get on the bases.
While lacking on offensive, Central Michigan battled on the defensive end. Left fielder Lacy Tolfree had a clutch diving catch in foul territory to end the third inning and CMU held off Michigan after the Wolverines loaded the bases in the final inning.
"Defense was good, better than it was, so we're doing better," Jonker said. "Now we need to look towards the Mid-American Conference against Kent State and execute and get it done."
