Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Kent State
Chippewas Can't Complete MAC Sweep
4/2/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Lindsay Gerber, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The Central Michigan softball team dropped their final game of a Mid-American Conference three-game series against Kent State on Sunday at Margo Jonker Stadium.
The Chippewas fell to the Golden Flashes, 3-2, as they finished their weekend 2-1. CMU is 19-10, 4-2 MAC. Kent State is 13-18, 3-3. Central Michigan will hit the road after an eight-game homestand as it travels to Western Michigan for a doubleheader on Tuesday (1 p.m.).
"I think we're in a good spot," CMU coach Margo Jonker said. "I think this conference is a tough conference -- it's pretty even. We just got to keep going forward.
"We can't take anyone at all lightly. I don't care if they haven't won a game in a month because every game is so different."
Losing pitcher Rachael Knapp (11-6) went the distance for CMU. She struck out 13, walked three, and surrendered three hits.
Ronnie Ladines homered to left field in the second inning, giving the Golden Flashes a 1-0 lead.
CMU went up 2-1 with a pair of runs in the third. Maison Kalina singled in Lacy Tolfree. Shanel Waters then pinch ran for Kalina and stole second, giving Allison Curtis to swipe home on a throwing error.
Bailey Brownfield delivered a one-out two-run double in the sixth inning to put Kent State back in front.
The Chippewas outhit the Golden Flashes, 7-3, but stranded five baserunners.
"We're not happy to lose this game," Jonker said. "We had more hits than they did. They had the timely hits, which was the difference between the two ball games. They got the timely hit and we didn't."
Tolfree and Kalina had two hits apiece. Curtis, Erika Underwood, and Kayla Noch each added one.
Ladines (5-11) went the distance for the win, striking out nine.
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