Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Ball State
Softball Drops Home Opener To Ball State
4/2/2021 7:48:00 PM | Softball
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Central Michigan fell into a 9-0 deficit early on Friday in falling to Ball State, 14-6, in the opener of a four-game Mid-American Conference softball series at Margo Jonker Stadium.
To their credit, the Chippewas collected eight hits and cut their deficit to 9-5 at one point but couldn't overcome a hot-hitting Ball State team that collected 17 hits.
"They (Ball State) are a good hitting team, but there is no way we can win games while giving up 17 hits," said CMU's McCall Salmon, who, in her second year in charge of the program, was coaching her first game at Margo Jonker Stadium. "We need to be tougher in the circle, limit the big innings, and continue to compete every pitch. It needs to be a mindset change."
The Chippewas are 4-15, 2-7 MAC; Ball State is 11-9, 5-0. The teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Saturday (1 p.m.) and then close the series on Sunday (noon).
Shannon Stein homered for CMU. It was her team-leading fourth of the season and her third in the Chippewas' last two games.
Abigail Niehaus led the Chippewa with two hits and Kelsey Alexander ripped a two-run triple to highlight CMU's four-run third inning.
"I was happy with our approach at the plate all game," Salmon said. "We made them make plays and we put ourselves in position to score runs. Kelsey's triple was huge, especially going opposite field."
CMU starter Grace Lehto (3-8) allowed six runs on five hits over 1 2/3 innings in taking the loss. Kaitlyn Bean struck out four over 4 1/3 innings in relief and Faith Howe pitched the seventh for the Chippewas.
