Softball Promotional Schedule Announced

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The 2026 Central Michigan Softball promotional slate was announced, featuring themes and giveaways across the 13-game home schedule this spring. CMU will host one home non-conference game on April 14^th against the Michigan Wolverines.

Throughout the season, fans mini-CMU softballs will be tossed into the stands after a strikeout from a Chippewa pitcher, CMU t-shirt tosses will take place after home runs, there will be on-field activities in between innings for fans and a hot-dog toss at the middle of the fifth inning.

If fans return three foul balls to the marketing table throughout a game, they will receive a free Buffalo Wild Wings kid' meal voucher. Every Sunday following a double header, young Chippewa Softball fans will be invited to run the bases after the second game. At home games there will be a kid's zone, with a coloring station, yard games and chalk. At select games, there will be a bounce house for the young fans.

Any Central Michigan students who check into at least five CMU Softball games during the 2026 season via the Maroon & Gold Rewards program will be entered into a drawing to win a free Central Michigan Softball glove at the end of the season.

For home games with just one game, the Central Michigan Softball team will be available for post-game autographs. Those games are:

March 20^th vs. Ball State
April 3^rd vs. Northern Illinois
April 12^th vs. UMass
April 14 vs. Michigan
April 24^th vs. Miami (OH)

Every Saturday fans will receive a free CMU Softball trading card of one of the four seniors of the program.

March 21^st – Cierra Laska (#2)
April 4^th – Angela Petrovitch (#6)
April 11 – Paige Sayler (#25)
April 25^th – Mackenzie Langan (#40)

Game by game summaries of themes and giveaways below:

Spring into Softball Season / Home Opener – March 20-21 vs. Ball State
Each fan who attends the home opener for Central Michigan Softball, on the first day of spring, will receive flow and vegetable seed packets. There will be "In my Central Michigan Softball Era" wristbands also available for fans. Fans in attendance will be entered into a raffle for a bucket of gardening supplies at Fan Central. On the 21^st, the Cierra Laska trading card will be handed out at the game.

Autism Acceptance / Gold Out – April 3 vs. Northern Illinois
Central Michigan Softball is proud to continue with the annual autism acceptance game to provide an inclusive space for all fans. During this game, there will be give aways of gold pom-poms, gold "K" strikeout cards and autism acceptance stickers. April is Autism Acceptance Month and CMU is proud to continue this initiative. There will be a sensory space available in the softball team room at the field, fidget toys and earplugs available at Fan Central and inclusion of the Autism Spectrum Club on campus.

Easter Egg-stravaganza – April 4^th vs. Northern Illinois
Celebrate the start of the Easter season with CMU softball as they take on the Huskies & collect the first limited edition Central Michigan Softball Senior Trading Card - #6 Cierra Laska and wear the "Beat NIU" button provided. There will be Easter themed coloring pages as a giveaway for fans along with an opportunity to take photos with the Easter Bunny. There will be an Easter egg hunt on the field following the conclusion of the second game of the double header.

Alumni Weekend / Pink Out / Breast Cancer Awareness / Sunday Funday – April 11^th-12^th vs. UMass
A fun filled weekend welcoming back the CMU Softball alumni, wearing pink, raising awareness for breast cancer and taking on the Minutewomen!

On Saturday, the 11^th, fans will receive pink pom-poms, pink "K" strikeout cards, breast cancer awareness ribbon stickers, a pink Central Michigan Softball tote bag, and the trading card for #25, Paige Sayler. There will be a ceremonial first pitch and fans are encouraged to wear pink.

For the Sunday game, there will be a bounce house, a kid's raffle at Fan Central and a full-team post-game autograph session on the field. A CMU Athletics coloring poster will also be given away for free at the game.

April 14^th vs. Michigan
Come watch the Chippewas host the Wolverines and be with two of the greatest legends of the game of softball. Margo Jonker, 40-year head coach of Central Michigan, and Carol Hutchins, 39-year head coach at Michigan, will throw the first pitch. Current CMU Softball Associate Head Coach, Sara Driesenga, will also welcome her alma mater and former head coach to Margo Jonker Stadium.

Staff & Faculty Appreciation Day – April 24^th vs. Miami (OH)
Central Michigan will host the RedHawks of Miami (OH) and celebrate the staff and faculty of Central Michigan University. Maroon "K" strikeout cards will be given away, as well as a pre-game staff and faculty recognition. The annual event allows softball student-athletes to recognize professors and staff who have made a significant impact on them.

Senior Celebration – April 25^th vs. Miami (OH)
The final game at Margo Jonker Stadium for the season, and the final home game for the four seniors Chippewas. This will be the final give away of the senior trading cards, with #40 Mackenzie Langan. The Chippewas will also recognize the seniors from Miami (OH) congratulating them on their accomplishments.

Cierra Laska, Angela Petrovitch, Paige Sayler, and Mackenzie Langan will be the honorees for Team 48.

For the latest news and updates on CMU Softball, follow the team on X (@cmusoftball) and Instagram (@cmichsoftball).

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