Central Michigan University Athletics
Friday, February 15
Tempe, Ariz.
11 a.m. ET
Central Michigan University
vs
Utah State
Photo by: Allissa Rusco
Softball Heads To Arizona
2/13/2019 7:31:00 PM | Softball
Chippewas face stiff competition at Arizona State Littlewood Classic
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Central Michigan softball team returns to the diamond this weekend when it partakes in the Arizona State Littlewood Classic in Tempe, Ariz.
The Chippewas are slated to play two games each on Friday and Saturday and then close the tournament on Sunday against Florida.
CMU opens at 11 a.m. EST on Friday against Utah State, and then takes on Illinois State at 1:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Chippewas are slated to play San Diego at 11 a.m. and then the host Sun Devils at 4 p.m.
OPENING WEEKEND
The Chippewas finished 1-4 in their season-opening event, the College of Charleston Cougar Classic, last weekend in Charleston, S.C.
The Chippewas lost their first three games, and then posted an 11-6 victory over Pittsburgh. They closed with a 3-1 loss despite outhitting the host Cougars, 7-6.
"I thought we got better as we went along," CMU coach Margo Jonker said. "Our pitchers were able to find the plate much better as the games progressed. The last game, we outhit (College of Charleston) not just in hits, but also in making solid contact. Just one of those games where they didn't fall."
Leadoff hitter Shaidan Knapp, a sophomore, led the Chippewas with six hits in 16 at-bats for a .375 batting average in Charleston, while Erika Underwood hit .357 (5 for 14), and Shannon Stein hit .333 (4 for 12). Senior Rachel Vieira had three hits, all doubles, and drove in a team-high three runs on the weekend.
In the circle, freshman Kaitlyn Bean earned the victory against Pitt. Bean (10 1/3 innings), sophomore Samantha Howell (10 2/3) and sophomore Cloe Mallory (8 2/3) did the lion's share of the pitching for the Chippewas in Chattanooga.
MOVING FORWARD
Jonker said she saw plenty on which to build, and plenty on which to improve, from her team on opening weekend.
"We want to make sure we just keep getting better," she said. "This week we'll work at the routine things, making the routine plays, doing the little things right and hopefully we'll take that in to next weekend."
SCOUTING
Two of the teams that CMU will see in Tempe are ranked. Florida (5-0) is fourth, while the Sun Devils (4-1) are 14th. San Diego is 2-4, Utah State is 1-4, and Illinois State is 0-5.
The Gators have been to the Women's College World Series in each of the past two years, finishing as the runner-up in 2017. They have won five consecutive Southeastern Conference regular-season championships. Arizona State was also in the Women's College World Series last season.
NEXT
The Chippewas will spend Spring Break in Florida where they are scheduled to play 13 games in a 10-day stretch. They are slated to play St. John's and Siena to open the trip on March 1.
The Chippewas are slated to play two games each on Friday and Saturday and then close the tournament on Sunday against Florida.
CMU opens at 11 a.m. EST on Friday against Utah State, and then takes on Illinois State at 1:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Chippewas are slated to play San Diego at 11 a.m. and then the host Sun Devils at 4 p.m.
OPENING WEEKEND
The Chippewas finished 1-4 in their season-opening event, the College of Charleston Cougar Classic, last weekend in Charleston, S.C.
The Chippewas lost their first three games, and then posted an 11-6 victory over Pittsburgh. They closed with a 3-1 loss despite outhitting the host Cougars, 7-6.
"I thought we got better as we went along," CMU coach Margo Jonker said. "Our pitchers were able to find the plate much better as the games progressed. The last game, we outhit (College of Charleston) not just in hits, but also in making solid contact. Just one of those games where they didn't fall."
Leadoff hitter Shaidan Knapp, a sophomore, led the Chippewas with six hits in 16 at-bats for a .375 batting average in Charleston, while Erika Underwood hit .357 (5 for 14), and Shannon Stein hit .333 (4 for 12). Senior Rachel Vieira had three hits, all doubles, and drove in a team-high three runs on the weekend.
In the circle, freshman Kaitlyn Bean earned the victory against Pitt. Bean (10 1/3 innings), sophomore Samantha Howell (10 2/3) and sophomore Cloe Mallory (8 2/3) did the lion's share of the pitching for the Chippewas in Chattanooga.
MOVING FORWARD
Jonker said she saw plenty on which to build, and plenty on which to improve, from her team on opening weekend.
"We want to make sure we just keep getting better," she said. "This week we'll work at the routine things, making the routine plays, doing the little things right and hopefully we'll take that in to next weekend."
SCOUTING
Two of the teams that CMU will see in Tempe are ranked. Florida (5-0) is fourth, while the Sun Devils (4-1) are 14th. San Diego is 2-4, Utah State is 1-4, and Illinois State is 0-5.
The Gators have been to the Women's College World Series in each of the past two years, finishing as the runner-up in 2017. They have won five consecutive Southeastern Conference regular-season championships. Arizona State was also in the Women's College World Series last season.
NEXT
The Chippewas will spend Spring Break in Florida where they are scheduled to play 13 games in a 10-day stretch. They are slated to play St. John's and Siena to open the trip on March 1.
Players Mentioned
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1B
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