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MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The Central Michigan softball team gave up nine runs in the top of the sixth inning to No. 20 Michigan falling, 10-2, in a run-rule loss on Tuesday.
The Wolverines (31-11) blew the game wide open in the top of the sixth. Three straight hits to begin the inning was all the momentum U-M needed, as it sent 15 batters to the plate en route to a nine-run inning. This handed the Maze and Blue its first lead of the game at 10-1.
Kara Dornbos ignited the defense early for the Chippewas (20-19). She had back-to-back strikeouts, coupled with a grounder to third, allowing the Maroon and Gold to retire the side in order in the top of the first.
CMU threatened in the bottom of the second, following a two-out single by CarolAnn Sexauer up the middle. The following batter, Chelsea DeLamielleure, ripped a ball between third and short placing two runners on. The next Chippewa could not find a hole, and CMU left two runners stranded.
After another inning of back-to-back strikeouts by Dornbos, Molly Coldren broke the scoreless tie with her eighth home run of the season over the center field fence.
The Wolverines trailed only momentarily, as they responded in the top of the fourth. Nicole Sappingfield recorded the Wolverines' first hit of the game with a single to left field. She advanced to second on a Chippewa error and was hit home when the cleanup batter sent a hard ball back up the middle. The next two batters were retired and the score was knotted up at 1-1 after four.
CMU added one final run in the bottom of the sixth following DeLamielleure's second single of the game, which allowed the leadoff batter to score from third.
Dornbos (9-11) lasted five innings in the circle for the Chippewas giving up five runs on five hits, while striking out six. Chelsea Sundberg came on in the top of the sixth only to record one out while giving up three runs (two earned) on three hits. Morgan Yuncker finished the inning seeing two more runs cross the plate, only one of which was earned, on two hits.
Sara Driesenga started for the Maze and Blue going three innings, while allowing one run on five hits. Haylie Wagner (21-4) recorded her 21st win on the season by also giving up five hits and one run.
Coldren finished the game a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a RBI, while both Sexauer and DeLamielleure went 2-for-3.
The Chippewas will return to conference action this weekend when they travel to Miami for a set of games on Friday beginning at 1 p.m.
