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MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The Central Michigan softball team swept Oakland in a doubleheader on Tuesday at Margo Jonker Stadium.
The Chippewas (18-16) run-ruled the Golden Grizzlies (3-30) in game one, 9-1, then held off a late charge in game two to win, 7-6.
The Maroon and Gold will return to Mid-American Conference action on Friday in a twin bill at Toledo beginning at 1 p.m.
Chippewas Pour it On
In the bottom of the sixth Brogan Darwin hit a single to left field, which was misplayed by the left fielder, allowing the Chippewas to clear the bases to complete the mercy rule win.
Oakland threatened first in the top of the third inning. It loaded the bases, but two strikeouts by Kara Dornbos and a shoelace grab at third, allowed the Chippewas to retire the side without any damage.
CMU got on the board first in the bottom of the third, following a leadoff single up the middle by CarolAnn Sexauer. Two batters later, a Golden Grizzlies' error allowed Sexauer to score. An illegal pitch by Oakland's pitcher, Brittany Doyle, allowed another CMU run to score. With two runners on, Summer Knoop singled up the middle clearing the bases and bringing the score to 4-0. Molly Coldren followed Knoop with a double off the center field fence, making the score 5-0. The Maroon and Gold added one more run when the catcher threw down to second in an attempt to throw out Ashley Gilson, but the ball went to center field and Coldren crossed home standing up.
Merchant finished the game a perfect 2-for-2 batting, while Knoop was 1-for-3 with two RBI.
Dornbos collected her ninth win in the circle, giving up four hits in four innings. Morgan Yuncker came on in relief in the fifth inning, allowing one run on two hits.
Brittany Doyle received the loss for the Golden Grizzlies giving up six runs (three earned) on only three hits in two innings of work. Katie Moly threw 3.1 innings allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits.
Chippewas Hold Off Late Comeback
Oakland got a two-out double in the top of the fourth by Erika Polidori to tie the game once again, 3-3. The tie was short lived as CMU responded in the bottom of the fourth. Chelsea DeLamielleure began the inning with a double to left center. She was able to score off a single by Macy Merchant, who beat out a throw to first base. Merchant was later hit home on a ball put in play by Ashley Gilson. After four innings CMU held a 5-3 advantage.
Megan McQueen put Oakland on the scoreboard first with a solo home run to right center in the top of the second inning.
The Chippewas tied things up in the bottom of the second when DeLamielleure drew a bases loaded walk. Karly Hansen followed DeLamielleure with another walk giving CMU a 2-1 lead.
CarolAnn Sexauer recorded an RBI in the bottom of the third singling up the middle to score Gilson, who had a two-out single and advanced to second off a misplay from the right fielder.
The Maroon and Gold added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth off a fielder's choice and hit-by- pitch. The Golden Grizzlies did not go away quietly as they were able to get back-to-back doubles in the top of the seventh bringing the score to 7-5. A Chippewa error allowed another run to score and the tying run was on first base. Kara Dornbos came on in relief and got her second save of the year by getting the final out, preserving the CMU sweep.
Gilson finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate, while Sexauer was a perfect 2-for-2. DeLamielleure went 1-for-1 and had two RBI.
Chelsea Sundberg began the game in the circle going four innings allowing three runs on five hits. Kristen Kuhlman threw 2.2 innings also allowing three runs, two of which were earned, on two hits.
Abby Richardson threw three innings for Oakland allowing two earned runs (four total) on four hits. Brittany Doyle threw the final three innings also giving up two earned runs (three total) on three hits.
