Central Michigan University Athletics
Sunday, May 5
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
12:00 PM
Central Michigan University
16-31, 13-12
2
vs
5
Ball State
25-27, 12-13
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball State | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 0 |
| Central Michigan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 0 |
Photo by: Lauren Verellen '26 - @laurenverellen_photography
Senior Day Celebrations for Softball as Team 46 Falls to Ball State
5/5/2024 3:37:00 PM | Softball
The final comeback efforts for the Chippewas were not enough to put out the hot start of the Cardinals in their final game of the series.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Central Michigan Softball ended their 2024 regular season campaign with a 2-5 loss to Ball State. On the day, the softball program recognized their eight seniors post game, and their seniors graduated with their respective degrees earlier Sunday morning.
Ball State jumped out to a 5-run lead in the after the third inning, but the Cardinals were held scoreless for the rest of the game. A two RBI double from fifth year senior Caitlyn Britton doubled off the left field wall, completing a story book ending for her career at Margo Jonker Stadium.
Grace Lehto took her final start at MJS in the game and threw for three innings. The curtain call for the senior came as Mackenzie Langan entered in relief to complete the game.
Langan held the Cardinals scoreless for the final four innings, allowing just two hits, striking out one.
The Senior Class
Eight Central Michigan Softball players concluded their careers in Mount Pleasant in the Sunday afternoon game. All eight seniors earned a start in the game, as the Chippewas took on Ball State. Prior to the game, the eight graduated with their degrees from CMU.
Lucy Cronin, and infielder for the Chippewas, played in 96 games, making 84 starts in her four years. Cronin posted a .989 fielding percentage and is a two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American Scholar Athlete, Cronin was named Academic All-MAC in 2023.
Graduating with a degree in marketing, Lucy will explore opportunities in product sales. Lucy plans to relocate to the east coast or embrace her love for the beach and move to South Carolina with the palm trees.
Skylar Coberley played five seasons in the Maroon & Gold – more than 200 games total as a mainstay at second base, posting a .261 career batting average with 142 hits, 31 doubles, and 14 home runs. Skylar entered the weekend series against Ball State hitting a career-best .311 in her final season.
Skylar graduated in the spring of 2022 with a bachelor of science degree with a certificate in lawmaking and legal processes and graduated Sunday morning with a master of science in administration with a concentration in leadership.
Skylar is a two-time Academic All-MAC honoree and a two-time NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete who will enroll in the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in the fall, beginning her journey to her juris doctor degree.
Abbey Tolmie served as a four-year starter and has been a mainstay in the outfield for more than 200 games in her career. Tolmie recorded a .984 career fielding percentage, highlighted by a perfect defensive season in 2022.
At the plate, Abbey was solid and consistent, logging 663 at-bats, which ranks fifth in program history. With 230 hits, 38 doubles and 134 runs scored, Abbey has served as the Chippewas' leadoff hitter for nearly every game in the past four years.
Abbey ranks in the top 10 in program history for career hits, doubles, batting average, at-bats, and runs scored. She also ranks in the single-season top 10 in runs scored, batting average, at-bats, and hits. Her 76 hits during her junior season ranks as the second most in program history.
A three-time Second Team All-MAC honoree, Abbey was named to the MAC All-Tournament Team in 2023.
This fall, Abbey earned the Dick Enberg Scholar-Athlete Award, is a two-time NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete, was named in 2023 to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, and this spring has been named a MAC Medal of Honor recipient.
Abbey will be applying to physician assistant school after graduating with a degree in exercise science/kinesiology. She plans to return to CMU Softball next season as a volunteer assistant coach.
Caitlyn Britton was a member of CMU Softball for five seasons and has appeared in 124 games with 96 starts. She has recorded 81 hits, 17 doubles and 19 home runs, 11 of which came in 2022 and ranks as the fifth most for a single season in program history.
Caitlyn was a force at the plate and in the circle. Britton made 24 appearances as a right-handed pitcher, throwing 66 innings, and striking out 38.
In 2022, Caitlyn was named First Team All-MAC and is a three-time Academic All-MAC honoree.
After graduating with a double major in neuroscience and psychology, Caitlyn will be working as an Emergency Department Tech in Midland for MyMichigan Hospital. She plans to apply to physician assistant school this summer.
Tailynn Knapp served as ann incredible teammate and valuable member of CMU Softball for four years. Tailynn played in 125 games with 25 starts. Knapp scored 27 runs and collected a dozen hits. In 2024, she had multi-hit games against Colgate and Alabama-Birmingham and she had a double against Marshall.
Graduating with a degree in exercise science/kinesiology, Tailynn plans to work as a medical assistant at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, gaining experience hours before she applies to physician assistant school to begin her career as a healthcare provider.
In four years, Faith Callahan appeared in 17 games with 6 starts including three at catcher in the Bowling Green series last year. Callahan recorded 28 putouts in her career and finished with a perfect fielding percentage.
Although she was not able to compete on the field for her team this season, Faith has continued her role as a great teammate and has supported her team in every game in every way she can.
The next step in Faith's journey will be employment as a medical assistant this summer for a family practice. Faith graduates from CMU with a degree in exercise science kinesiology and will be applying to physician's assistant school to begin her path to becoming a health care provider.
The mainstay in the circle since her freshman year, Grace Lehto appeared in 126 games with 101 starts in her career. Lehto has thrown 61 complete games in her career, which ranks sixth in Chippewa Softball history. She has posted 50 career wins, which is good for eighth best in in program history.
Her 558 career strikeouts place her third all-time in Chippewa history and her 15 strikeouts in a 2023 game against Army stands as the second most in a game in program history. She threw a no-hitter against Bowling Green in 2023 en route to a season in which she struck out 195, which ranks as the eighth best in program history.
Grace earned Second Team All-MAC honors in her sophomore year, First Team All-MAC in her junior year, and in 2022 was named to the MAC All-Tournament Team.
As a two-time Academic All-MAC honoree, two-time NFCA Academic All-American Scholar Athlete, and a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honoree, Grace graduated today with a degree in biochemistry while maintaining a 3.9 grade point average.
Next fall, Grace will enroll in the Central Michigan College of Medicine, continuing on her path to becoming a physician.
Michaleigh Vallimont appeared in 173 games with 159 starts in her CMU career, and has been a source of consistency in the lineup and in right field. Michaleigh hit .356 in her junior season after posting a .338 batting average as a sophomore. She has collected 145 hits, 26 of them doubles, with 10 home runs, 74 RBI and 67 runs scored in her career. Over four seasons, Vallimont had 39 multi-hit games and reached base in 34 consecutive games during the 2023 season.
Michaleigh earned Second Team All-MAC honors in 2023 and is a two-time Academic All-MAC honoree. This spring, Michaleigh graduated from the CMU College of Business with a degree in marketing.
Next for Michaleigh is returning to her hometown, Trenton, where she will work alongside her mother and sister, Lilly, who plays at the University of Michigan. Vallimont will be utilizing her business degree taking the facility over and running it with her mom. Her vision is to train young athletes and prepare them to play at the next level. She wants to give other athletes the ability to chase their dream just as she was able to do.
For the latest news and updates on CMU Softball, follow the team on X (@cmusoftball) and Instagram (@cmichsoftball).
Ball State jumped out to a 5-run lead in the after the third inning, but the Cardinals were held scoreless for the rest of the game. A two RBI double from fifth year senior Caitlyn Britton doubled off the left field wall, completing a story book ending for her career at Margo Jonker Stadium.
Grace Lehto took her final start at MJS in the game and threw for three innings. The curtain call for the senior came as Mackenzie Langan entered in relief to complete the game.
Langan held the Cardinals scoreless for the final four innings, allowing just two hits, striking out one.
The Senior Class
Eight Central Michigan Softball players concluded their careers in Mount Pleasant in the Sunday afternoon game. All eight seniors earned a start in the game, as the Chippewas took on Ball State. Prior to the game, the eight graduated with their degrees from CMU.
Lucy Cronin, and infielder for the Chippewas, played in 96 games, making 84 starts in her four years. Cronin posted a .989 fielding percentage and is a two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American Scholar Athlete, Cronin was named Academic All-MAC in 2023.
Graduating with a degree in marketing, Lucy will explore opportunities in product sales. Lucy plans to relocate to the east coast or embrace her love for the beach and move to South Carolina with the palm trees.
Skylar Coberley played five seasons in the Maroon & Gold – more than 200 games total as a mainstay at second base, posting a .261 career batting average with 142 hits, 31 doubles, and 14 home runs. Skylar entered the weekend series against Ball State hitting a career-best .311 in her final season.
Skylar graduated in the spring of 2022 with a bachelor of science degree with a certificate in lawmaking and legal processes and graduated Sunday morning with a master of science in administration with a concentration in leadership.
Skylar is a two-time Academic All-MAC honoree and a two-time NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete who will enroll in the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in the fall, beginning her journey to her juris doctor degree.
Abbey Tolmie served as a four-year starter and has been a mainstay in the outfield for more than 200 games in her career. Tolmie recorded a .984 career fielding percentage, highlighted by a perfect defensive season in 2022.
At the plate, Abbey was solid and consistent, logging 663 at-bats, which ranks fifth in program history. With 230 hits, 38 doubles and 134 runs scored, Abbey has served as the Chippewas' leadoff hitter for nearly every game in the past four years.
Abbey ranks in the top 10 in program history for career hits, doubles, batting average, at-bats, and runs scored. She also ranks in the single-season top 10 in runs scored, batting average, at-bats, and hits. Her 76 hits during her junior season ranks as the second most in program history.
A three-time Second Team All-MAC honoree, Abbey was named to the MAC All-Tournament Team in 2023.
This fall, Abbey earned the Dick Enberg Scholar-Athlete Award, is a two-time NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete, was named in 2023 to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, and this spring has been named a MAC Medal of Honor recipient.
Abbey will be applying to physician assistant school after graduating with a degree in exercise science/kinesiology. She plans to return to CMU Softball next season as a volunteer assistant coach.
Caitlyn Britton was a member of CMU Softball for five seasons and has appeared in 124 games with 96 starts. She has recorded 81 hits, 17 doubles and 19 home runs, 11 of which came in 2022 and ranks as the fifth most for a single season in program history.
Caitlyn was a force at the plate and in the circle. Britton made 24 appearances as a right-handed pitcher, throwing 66 innings, and striking out 38.
In 2022, Caitlyn was named First Team All-MAC and is a three-time Academic All-MAC honoree.
After graduating with a double major in neuroscience and psychology, Caitlyn will be working as an Emergency Department Tech in Midland for MyMichigan Hospital. She plans to apply to physician assistant school this summer.
Tailynn Knapp served as ann incredible teammate and valuable member of CMU Softball for four years. Tailynn played in 125 games with 25 starts. Knapp scored 27 runs and collected a dozen hits. In 2024, she had multi-hit games against Colgate and Alabama-Birmingham and she had a double against Marshall.
Graduating with a degree in exercise science/kinesiology, Tailynn plans to work as a medical assistant at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, gaining experience hours before she applies to physician assistant school to begin her career as a healthcare provider.
In four years, Faith Callahan appeared in 17 games with 6 starts including three at catcher in the Bowling Green series last year. Callahan recorded 28 putouts in her career and finished with a perfect fielding percentage.
Although she was not able to compete on the field for her team this season, Faith has continued her role as a great teammate and has supported her team in every game in every way she can.
The next step in Faith's journey will be employment as a medical assistant this summer for a family practice. Faith graduates from CMU with a degree in exercise science kinesiology and will be applying to physician's assistant school to begin her path to becoming a health care provider.
The mainstay in the circle since her freshman year, Grace Lehto appeared in 126 games with 101 starts in her career. Lehto has thrown 61 complete games in her career, which ranks sixth in Chippewa Softball history. She has posted 50 career wins, which is good for eighth best in in program history.
Her 558 career strikeouts place her third all-time in Chippewa history and her 15 strikeouts in a 2023 game against Army stands as the second most in a game in program history. She threw a no-hitter against Bowling Green in 2023 en route to a season in which she struck out 195, which ranks as the eighth best in program history.
Grace earned Second Team All-MAC honors in her sophomore year, First Team All-MAC in her junior year, and in 2022 was named to the MAC All-Tournament Team.
As a two-time Academic All-MAC honoree, two-time NFCA Academic All-American Scholar Athlete, and a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honoree, Grace graduated today with a degree in biochemistry while maintaining a 3.9 grade point average.
Next fall, Grace will enroll in the Central Michigan College of Medicine, continuing on her path to becoming a physician.
Michaleigh Vallimont appeared in 173 games with 159 starts in her CMU career, and has been a source of consistency in the lineup and in right field. Michaleigh hit .356 in her junior season after posting a .338 batting average as a sophomore. She has collected 145 hits, 26 of them doubles, with 10 home runs, 74 RBI and 67 runs scored in her career. Over four seasons, Vallimont had 39 multi-hit games and reached base in 34 consecutive games during the 2023 season.
Michaleigh earned Second Team All-MAC honors in 2023 and is a two-time Academic All-MAC honoree. This spring, Michaleigh graduated from the CMU College of Business with a degree in marketing.
Next for Michaleigh is returning to her hometown, Trenton, where she will work alongside her mother and sister, Lilly, who plays at the University of Michigan. Vallimont will be utilizing her business degree taking the facility over and running it with her mom. Her vision is to train young athletes and prepare them to play at the next level. She wants to give other athletes the ability to chase their dream just as she was able to do.
For the latest news and updates on CMU Softball, follow the team on X (@cmusoftball) and Instagram (@cmichsoftball).
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: KING, Francys (13-12)
L: Lehto, Grace (9-17)
S: MURPHY, Bridie (2)
Batting:
2B: TIMMONS, McKayla 1
HR: HOFFMAN, Jessica 1
RBI: MULHOLLAND, McKenna 1 ; WEAVER, Maddie 1 ; HOFFMAN, Jessica 2
SF: MULHOLLAND, McKenna 1
Base Running:
RUNS: TIMMONS, McKayla 1 ; ARMENDARIZ, Jazmyne 1 ; PIETRZAK, Maia 1 ; MULHOLLAND, McKenna 1 ; HOFFMAN, Jessica 1
SB: PIETRZAK, Maia 1
Batting:
2B: Sleeman, Carly 1 ; Britton, Caitlyn 1
RBI: Britton, Caitlyn 2
SH: Vallimont, Michaleigh 1 ; Springer, Maddie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Elsenpeter, Bryn 1 ; Vallimont, Michaleigh 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
P/UTL
/ Softball
C/OF
/ SoftballIF
/ Softball
IF/UTL
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballOF
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