Central Michigan University Athletics
Seventh-year coach McCall Salmon and the Chippewas open the 2026 season on Friday in South Carolina.
Photo by: Joe Grogan '25 - @leazier.media
Strong Pitching, Experienced Lineup Fuels Softball Optimism
2/4/2026 12:56:00 PM | Softball
Chippewas open season Friday in South Carolina
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Pitching. In softball, it's always a factor – often the factor – in how far a team will go.
With that in mind, Central Michigan enters the 2026 season well armed in the circle, beginning with senior Mackenzie Langan, a First Team All-Mid-American Conference honoree in 2025 when she posted a 2.94 earned run average and finished 13-8.
The right-hander surrendered a MAC-low 19 earned runs in conference games a year ago and ranked in the top 10 in the league in nine statistical categories.
The Chippewa pitching staff is bolstered by veterans Brooklyn Compau and Cierra Laska, both of whom made 20-or-more appearances a year ago. Freshman left-hander Aubrey Strelow joins the mix.
CMU finished with a 3.93 team ERA a year ago, second-best in the MAC.
"Experience (in the circle) is always an exciting thing," seventh-year coach McCall Salmon said. "I think having three of our pitchers back who have had a lot of time in the circle just builds continued trust."
The experience isn't limited to the arms. The Chippewas return six other starters, including their entire outfield, second baseman Rachel Cairo, and third baseman Grace Koenig, and first baseman London Williams. Both Koenig and Williams earned Second Team All-MAC honors a year ago and Williams earned a spot on the MAC All-Freshman squad, becoming just the third player in program history to land all-conference and all-freshman honors in the same season as she hit .319 with 10 home runs and 33 RBI.
The outfield comprises Tori Briggs, Emma Lotus and Jenna Kuzara. A year ago, Lotus led the Chippewas with 10 stolen bases (in 11 attempts) and Briggs ranked third on the team with a .316 batting average.
It's behind the plate that CMU will look to fill the void left by transfer Carly Sleeman, who led the Chippewas in batting average, home runs and RBI a year ago.
Junior Keira Tolmie and sophomore transfer Alexa Carter (Purdue Fort Wayne) are vying for the starting spot. Tolmie started in the outfield last season, while Carter appeared in 38 games last season with the Mastodons, primarily as the designated player.
"We still have experienced innings behind the plate," Salmon said. "Alexa is getting acclimated to our system and she has experience. Keira, as a freshman, she had some innings (at catcher) and played a different role for us last year and now she's transitioning into a different one.
"I think both of them are going to do what they need for us behind the plate. Both of them are very powerful at the plate."
The Chippewas return six of their top eight hitters. They finished fifth in the MAC Preseason Poll after finishing third in the 11-team league a year ago.
They open the season on Friday with two games in Charleston, S.C., the first (10 a.m.) against defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion Marist and the second against George Mason (12:30 p.m.). The Chippewas are also slated to play Siena, defending Big East regular-season-champion St. John's, and College of Charleston over the weekend.
"Our expectations don't change from what they've been every day," Salmon said. "And that's just getting a little bit better, continued growth, a growth mindset. Determined. Competitive.
"You know, great teams have great respect for each other and their teammates and they really want the person to their left and to their right to do well. I see that growth every day with these ladies. I know how much that they enjoy wearing Central Michigan across their chest and competing for this university."
With that in mind, Central Michigan enters the 2026 season well armed in the circle, beginning with senior Mackenzie Langan, a First Team All-Mid-American Conference honoree in 2025 when she posted a 2.94 earned run average and finished 13-8.
The right-hander surrendered a MAC-low 19 earned runs in conference games a year ago and ranked in the top 10 in the league in nine statistical categories.
The Chippewa pitching staff is bolstered by veterans Brooklyn Compau and Cierra Laska, both of whom made 20-or-more appearances a year ago. Freshman left-hander Aubrey Strelow joins the mix.
CMU finished with a 3.93 team ERA a year ago, second-best in the MAC.
"Experience (in the circle) is always an exciting thing," seventh-year coach McCall Salmon said. "I think having three of our pitchers back who have had a lot of time in the circle just builds continued trust."
The experience isn't limited to the arms. The Chippewas return six other starters, including their entire outfield, second baseman Rachel Cairo, and third baseman Grace Koenig, and first baseman London Williams. Both Koenig and Williams earned Second Team All-MAC honors a year ago and Williams earned a spot on the MAC All-Freshman squad, becoming just the third player in program history to land all-conference and all-freshman honors in the same season as she hit .319 with 10 home runs and 33 RBI.
The outfield comprises Tori Briggs, Emma Lotus and Jenna Kuzara. A year ago, Lotus led the Chippewas with 10 stolen bases (in 11 attempts) and Briggs ranked third on the team with a .316 batting average.
It's behind the plate that CMU will look to fill the void left by transfer Carly Sleeman, who led the Chippewas in batting average, home runs and RBI a year ago.
Junior Keira Tolmie and sophomore transfer Alexa Carter (Purdue Fort Wayne) are vying for the starting spot. Tolmie started in the outfield last season, while Carter appeared in 38 games last season with the Mastodons, primarily as the designated player.
"We still have experienced innings behind the plate," Salmon said. "Alexa is getting acclimated to our system and she has experience. Keira, as a freshman, she had some innings (at catcher) and played a different role for us last year and now she's transitioning into a different one.
"I think both of them are going to do what they need for us behind the plate. Both of them are very powerful at the plate."
The Chippewas return six of their top eight hitters. They finished fifth in the MAC Preseason Poll after finishing third in the 11-team league a year ago.
They open the season on Friday with two games in Charleston, S.C., the first (10 a.m.) against defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion Marist and the second against George Mason (12:30 p.m.). The Chippewas are also slated to play Siena, defending Big East regular-season-champion St. John's, and College of Charleston over the weekend.
"Our expectations don't change from what they've been every day," Salmon said. "And that's just getting a little bit better, continued growth, a growth mindset. Determined. Competitive.
"You know, great teams have great respect for each other and their teammates and they really want the person to their left and to their right to do well. I see that growth every day with these ladies. I know how much that they enjoy wearing Central Michigan across their chest and competing for this university."
Players Mentioned
OF
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INF
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RHP
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INF
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OF
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LHP/UTL
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OF
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C
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LHP
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C/UTL
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1B/UTL
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