Central Michigan University Athletics
Wednesday, April 10
Ann Arbor, Mich.
6:00 PM
Central Michigan University
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Photo by: Abi Rigdon
Vallimont Sisters Face off for First Time as Softball Drops to Michigan
4/10/2024 9:47:00 PM | Softball
Senior outfielder Michaleigh Vallimont took the field competing against her younger sister Lilly Vallimont for the first time in their collegiate careers.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – In the moments before first pitch, senior outfielder Michaleigh Vallimont and her younger sister Lilly Vallimont, a catcher/utility for the Michigan Wolverines met and greeted each other with a hug. Once the lineups were traded however, the two sisters were ready to compete.
The first three Chippewa batters went down in order on nine pitches from the Wolverines freshman Erin Hoehn. Michigan added two runs in the first inning on a double to right center. Madelyn Wallace who took the start in the circle for the Chippewas threw to seven batters, where she allowed three hits and walked three. Mackenzie Langan entered in relief in the first and struck out the final batter.
In the second inning, Emma Lotus recorded the first hit of the day for CMU but was stranded on first base. The Chippewa defense lead by Langan then proceeded to hold Michigan to three more scoreless innings. Langan threw for 3 and 1/3 innings, facing 11 batters and recording the only two strikeouts of the day for Central Michigan's pitching staff.
In the fifth inning, Brooklyn Compau entered to relieve Langan. Compau would face 10 batters where she issued two hits and allowed three runs. Grace Lehto entered in the bottom of the 6th to face the final two Wolverines.
The Chippewas ultimately fell to the in-state foe, 0-5.
Central Michigan's freshman class had a good night however, despite the loss. All four first year Chippewas that recorded a plate appearance in the game earned a hit. In her first at-bat of the day, Emma Lotus singled through the left side. Keira Tolmie, who entered as a pinch hitter in the fifth, singled to left field. A sixth inning single to right field by Carly Sleeman added her name to the hit column, and Grace Koenig followed that up with a bunt single to the third baseman.
The day was full of love and emotions for the CMU softball team as the Vallimont sisters faced off, Pitching Coach Sara Driesenga returned to Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium for the first time since Bonnie Tholl took over for legendary Carol Hutchins. Driesenga played under Hutchins in her five seasons with the Wolverines.
Lilly Vallimont, a sophomore academically, but redshirt freshman on the field after battling injury in her freshman season, is two and a half years younger than Michaleigh Vallimont. The two sisters have grown up training, playing and loving softball together. Inseparable at most times, the Vallimont sisters share a bond that is unmatched to most sisters.
On the topic, Michaleigh Vallimont said, "Today meant the world to me. It was both of our dreams to play Division I softball, it was our families dreams to have two kids be able to compete at this level, yet alone in the same state and then take the field against each other. Lilly makes me so proud, every day, I am her biggest fan, and she is mine. This game meant so much more than just softball. I am proud of where have both come from and how we have grown on and off the field."
The Chippewas will return to Margo Jonker Stadium on Friday, April 12th to host Buffalo in a Mid-American Conference series. Friday's game is the program's Autism Acceptance game. The game is a gold out and fans are encouraged to wear gold when they attend!
For the latest news and updates on CMU Softball, follow the team on X (@cmusoftball) and Instagram (@cmichsoftball).
The first three Chippewa batters went down in order on nine pitches from the Wolverines freshman Erin Hoehn. Michigan added two runs in the first inning on a double to right center. Madelyn Wallace who took the start in the circle for the Chippewas threw to seven batters, where she allowed three hits and walked three. Mackenzie Langan entered in relief in the first and struck out the final batter.
In the second inning, Emma Lotus recorded the first hit of the day for CMU but was stranded on first base. The Chippewa defense lead by Langan then proceeded to hold Michigan to three more scoreless innings. Langan threw for 3 and 1/3 innings, facing 11 batters and recording the only two strikeouts of the day for Central Michigan's pitching staff.
In the fifth inning, Brooklyn Compau entered to relieve Langan. Compau would face 10 batters where she issued two hits and allowed three runs. Grace Lehto entered in the bottom of the 6th to face the final two Wolverines.
The Chippewas ultimately fell to the in-state foe, 0-5.
Central Michigan's freshman class had a good night however, despite the loss. All four first year Chippewas that recorded a plate appearance in the game earned a hit. In her first at-bat of the day, Emma Lotus singled through the left side. Keira Tolmie, who entered as a pinch hitter in the fifth, singled to left field. A sixth inning single to right field by Carly Sleeman added her name to the hit column, and Grace Koenig followed that up with a bunt single to the third baseman.
The day was full of love and emotions for the CMU softball team as the Vallimont sisters faced off, Pitching Coach Sara Driesenga returned to Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium for the first time since Bonnie Tholl took over for legendary Carol Hutchins. Driesenga played under Hutchins in her five seasons with the Wolverines.
Lilly Vallimont, a sophomore academically, but redshirt freshman on the field after battling injury in her freshman season, is two and a half years younger than Michaleigh Vallimont. The two sisters have grown up training, playing and loving softball together. Inseparable at most times, the Vallimont sisters share a bond that is unmatched to most sisters.
On the topic, Michaleigh Vallimont said, "Today meant the world to me. It was both of our dreams to play Division I softball, it was our families dreams to have two kids be able to compete at this level, yet alone in the same state and then take the field against each other. Lilly makes me so proud, every day, I am her biggest fan, and she is mine. This game meant so much more than just softball. I am proud of where have both come from and how we have grown on and off the field."
The Chippewas will return to Margo Jonker Stadium on Friday, April 12th to host Buffalo in a Mid-American Conference series. Friday's game is the program's Autism Acceptance game. The game is a gold out and fans are encouraged to wear gold when they attend!
For the latest news and updates on CMU Softball, follow the team on X (@cmusoftball) and Instagram (@cmichsoftball).
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Hoehn, Erin (13-4)
L: Wallace, Madelyn (1-7)
S: Derkowski, Lauren (2)
Batting:
3B: Springer, Maddie 1
Base Running:
HBP: Tolmie, Abbey 1
Batting:
2B: Sieler, Ellie 1 ; Erickson, Maddie 1
RBI: Erickson, Maddie 2 ; Costales, Ava 1
SH: Conway, Jenissa 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Sieler, Ellie 2 ; Langford, Indiana 1 ; Vallimont, Lilly 1 ; Conway, Jenissa 1
SB: McVey, Ella 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
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H
1
RBI
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AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
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C/UTL
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