Central Michigan University Athletics
Photo by: Lauren Verellen '26 - @laurenverellen_photography
Chippewas Slated to Defend MJS as “Fortress” by D1Softball.com's Graham Hays
2/1/2024 1:47:00 PM | Softball
CMU is slated to be the top “Team to Beat” by D1Softball.com in preseason article. Lehto eyed as potential MAC Pitcher of the Year, Abbey Tolmie & Michaleigh Vallimont also noted as “names to know”.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — The Central Michigan Chippewa Softball Team was picked to finish second in the Mid-American Conference by D1Softball.com in their MAC Preview article published on January 31, 2024. Miami (OH) who has won the conference in back-to-back-to-back seasons is slated as the favorite for the regular season.
This year will feature the first time post COVID-19 Pandemic where the tournament is back to a neutral site, Firestone Stadium, in Akron, Ohio. The RedHawks, who made to the Lexington Regional Championship final, against host Kentucky, have hosted the previous two MAC Championship Tournaments in Oxford, prior to this year's restructure.
In the article by Graham Hays, published for D1Softball.com, Grace Lehto is a preseason favorite to win MAC Pitcher of the Year, while also being ranked the 3rd best player in the MAC. Michaleigh Vallimont is ranked 15th and Abbey Tolmie at 17th.
Something that notably stuck out to Hays is the powerhouse the Chippewas have been when playing at their home stadium.
"Head Coach McCall Salmon hasn't wasted time putting her own stamp on Mount Pleasant. The Chippewas are 35-22 in conference games over the past two seasons and have turned Margo Jonker Stadium into a fortress with a 22-6 home record over that span."
For more from Hays on the Chippewas and the rest of the MAC, visit D1Softball.com.
The Chippewas will open their season on February 16th when they head to Mobile, Ala. to face Eastern Kentucky, UAB, NIU and host team, South Alabama, in the South Alabama Invitational.
This year will feature the first time post COVID-19 Pandemic where the tournament is back to a neutral site, Firestone Stadium, in Akron, Ohio. The RedHawks, who made to the Lexington Regional Championship final, against host Kentucky, have hosted the previous two MAC Championship Tournaments in Oxford, prior to this year's restructure.
In the article by Graham Hays, published for D1Softball.com, Grace Lehto is a preseason favorite to win MAC Pitcher of the Year, while also being ranked the 3rd best player in the MAC. Michaleigh Vallimont is ranked 15th and Abbey Tolmie at 17th.
Something that notably stuck out to Hays is the powerhouse the Chippewas have been when playing at their home stadium.
"Head Coach McCall Salmon hasn't wasted time putting her own stamp on Mount Pleasant. The Chippewas are 35-22 in conference games over the past two seasons and have turned Margo Jonker Stadium into a fortress with a 22-6 home record over that span."
For more from Hays on the Chippewas and the rest of the MAC, visit D1Softball.com.
The Chippewas will open their season on February 16th when they head to Mobile, Ala. to face Eastern Kentucky, UAB, NIU and host team, South Alabama, in the South Alabama Invitational.
Players Mentioned
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