Central Michigan University
Michigan State
Underwood's Walk-Off Slam Gives CMU Dramatic Win
4/26/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Lindsay Gerber, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - With a huge series looming, Erika Underwood delivered a monumental hit.
Underwood, a sophomore, drilled a walk-off grand slam with two out in the bottom of the seventh inning Wednesday, giving Central Michigan a dramatic 6-2 nonconference softball victory over Michigan State at Margo Jonker Stadium.
"It's the most focused I've ever been," said Underwood, who leads the Chippewas with six home runs.
The win lifted CMU to 31-13 ahead of a big Mid-American Conference series with Ball State. The Chippewas and Cardinals are both 13-5 in league play, and share the top spot both in the West Division and overall. The series begins Friday (3 p.m.) at Margo Jonker Stadium.
"Obviously we know it's a huge weekend," CMU head coach Margo Jonker said. "We're both in first place, so we'll see what happens. It's one game at a time. I think (this win) was a huge help for us going in. We got excited, the team is obviously pumped and so am I. It's exciting to be able to win with a walk-off grand slam. They don't happen that often."
Allison Curtis and Maison Kalina got the seventh-inning rally started with back-to-back one-out singles. Kalina moved to second on a groundout and Sydney Heath was intentionally walked to load the bases.
Underwood drilled the first offering she saw from reliever Jordan Watson (8-5) over the fence in right-center, clearing the bases and touching off a Chippewa celebration.
Rachael Knapp (18-8) went the final three innings in the circle for the victory, and made program history in the process. The senior right-hander allowed one run on two hits and struck out one. It was her 132nd career appearance, the most in CMU softball history.
"We've had some great pitchers at Central Michigan - some amazing pitchers, and she is right in that group," Jonker said. "I'm so proud of her for what she's done for our program. She's such a great pitcher but also a great person, so I couldn't be luckier to have her in the circle for us."
Hanna Warren started for the Chippewas and allowed one run on six hits, walked one and struck out one over four innings.
Michigan State starter Kristina Zalewski went six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, while walking two and striking out nine.
Curtis and Kalina collected three hits apiece. Heath and Kalina each drove in a run. The Chippewas outhit the Spartans, 10-8.
