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MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The Central Michigan softball team allowed five runs in the top of the seventh en route to a 6-1 loss, during its home opener to Michigan State on Wednesday.
The Spartans (11-23) recorded six runs on 12 hits against the Chippewas (14-14), only the third time this season a team has collected 10 or more hits on the Maroon and Gold.
MSU struck first in the top of the third, when Lori Padilla hit a two-out double to left field. The next batter singled up the middle, driving home Padilla and allowing the Spartans to take a 1-0 lead.
CMU was held to only one hit in the first five innings, but the Chippewas posed their first scoring threat in the bottom of the second. Summer Knoop hit a two out single to right field and was followed by Molly Coldren driving a single up the middle, placing runners on first and second. The final batter popped up to the shortstop and the threat was over.
The Spartans blew the game open in the top of the seventh when they recorded five runs on five hits. The Maroon and Gold attempted a rally in the bottom of the seventh when again with two outs, the offense got rolling. Chelsea DeLamielleure beat out a ball to the shortstop, and was hit home on the next pitch by a Brittney Horan double to center field. The next Chippewa walked to place runners on first and second, but the game was ended when the final batter was out on a diving catch in center by MSU.
Kara Dornbos threw six innings allowing four earned runs on 10 hits, while striking out two. Chelsea Sundberg came on in relief and allowed one run on two hits while also striking out two.
Five different CMU players recorded hits, with Horan going 1-for-3 with a RBI.
Cassee Layne went the distance for MSU allowing one run on five hits and striking out five.
The Chippewas will remain home on Friday, when they will face Mid-American Conference rival Western Michigan in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
