Central Michigan University
Eastern Michigan
Chippewas Claim The Title
5/7/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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MAC Tournament Bracket
Lindsay Gerber, CMUChippewas.com
YPSTILANTI, Mich. - One goal - one very big goal - is in the books.
Now, the Central Michigan softball team turns its attention to the Mid-American Conference Tournament.
First, there was a little celebrating to do.
Kaila Fulker's pinch-hit three-run homer in the sixth inning broke a 1-1 tie and the Chippewas went on to post a 6-4 victory over Eastern Michigan on Sunday in the first game of a Mid-American Conference doubleheader at the Eagles' Varsity Field.
The victory gave the Chippewas their first MAC regular-season championship since 2004, and, with it, the No. 1 seed in the league tournament, which begins on Wednesday in Akron, Ohio.
"it's been a long time," said Margo Jonker, who is in her 38th season as the Chippewas' coach. "It means a great deal. I don't know if I can put into words how much it means.
"I'm so proud of the players for coming together and working together all year long. It's been different individuals who have come through all season, and that was the case today."
The Chippewas followed with more dramatics in the nightcap, coming from behind for a 5-4 victory to complete the sweep and finish 18-5 in MAC play.
CMU is 36-13 overall. The 36 victories are the most for the program since the 2002 team won 39 games. The 18 league wins are the most since CMU finished 21-3 in league play in 2004.
"We've got a quick turnaround," Jonker said. "We need to refocus tomorrow and Tuesday at practice, and get back at it competing on Wednesday."
CMU entered the day needing a win or an Ohio loss to clinch the outright title. Ohio defeated Buffalo, 6-4, in a game that ended just as CMU's doubleheader was getting underway. The win gave the Bobcats a 17-7 MAC record, meaning that the Chippewas would need to win one of its two games against Eastern.
CMU found itself in a 1-0 hole against the Eagles as it came to bat in the top of the sixth inning.
After Danielle Marlink reached on a fielder's choice, Jonker worked the levers, calling on Sydney Heath to pinch hit. Heath delivered a single, moving Marlink to second. Speedy Shanel Waters pinch ran for Marlink, and Taylor Lewallen singled to score Waters and tie the game 1-1.
Jonker then summoned another pinch hitter, Fulker, to bat for Evelyn Lorimer. Fulker, a redshirt freshman, delivered a three-run blast to right-center field to put the Chippewas ahead for good.
It was Fulker's first career home run.
"She's one of our pinch-hitters who does a really good job for us," Jonker said. "She certainly came through at the right time. it was pretty emotional to see the ball go over."
Allison Curtis singled to lead off the seventh for the Chippewas and later scored on an error, and CMU got another insurance run on an Erika Underwood RBI single.
Those runs proved critical, as Eastern scored three times in the bottom of the seventh. But Chippewa ace Rachael Knapp settled down to get the final out on a called third strike, leaving two Eagles on base.
Knapp (21-8) struck out nine, walked two and surrendered nine hits.
Curtis led the Chippewas' 11 hit attack with four, including a double. Rachel Vieira added two hits.
Trailing 4-2 entering the fifth inning in the nightcap, the Chippewas scored a run in each of their final three turns at bat to pull out the 5-4 victory.
The Chippewas got the go-ahead run in the seventh. Morgan Gardner doubled to lead off the inning. Lorimer pinch ran and scored on a Lewallen single.
Taylor Weaver (2-0) came out of the bullpen to pick up the victory. She went the final 3 1/3 innings, allowing just one hit while striking out two.
Hanna Warren started for the Chippewas, and surrendered four runs on seven hits and struck out two over 3 2/3 innings.
Lewallen and Gardner had two hits apiece to lead CMU's eight-hit attack.
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