Watch: Highlights | Postgame Interview
AKRON, Ohio - The No. 6 seed Central Michigan softball team used a squeeze bunt in the top of the sixth inning to score the go ahead run against No. 4 Bowling Green, in the second round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament, Wednesday night.
The Chippewas (28-25) advance to face No. 2 Miami Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. at Fireston Stadium.
Molly Coldren reached first with a line drive in the top of the sixth inning before before advancing to second on a bunt by Ashley Gilson and third on a passed ball. Brogan Darwin executed a suicide squeeze by laying down a bunt, which allowed Coldren to score and place the Chippewas back in front, 2-1.
The Falcons had the tying run on base in the bottom of the seventh following a single up the middle by Hannah Fulk. Dornbos threw 14 pitches to the final batter, but won the battle when the batter swung on a rise ball to end the game.
After being held without a hit for the first three innings, CMU was able to get its second base runner of the game in the top of the fourth. Darwin laced a two-out double up the middle and the next batter, CarolAnn Sexauer, followed with a double to deep center. Darwin crossed the plate placing the Maroon and Gold in front 1-0.
The Falcons (35-21) responded in the bottom half of the inning when they loaded the bases with no outs. A short grounder to pitcher Kristen Kuhlman allowed CMU to get the out at first, but not before the Falcons tied the game at one. Kuhlman got the next batter to strike out and followed up with a fly out to right field to end the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth with runners on first and second and no outs, Kara Dornbos took over in the circle for CMU. She got the first two batters to pop out and recorded the final out herself with a strikeout.
Dornbos picked up her career-high third save of the season in two innings of work. She held BGSU to only one hit while striking out two. Kuhlman (2-0) earned her second win of the season, allowing two hits in two innings of work. Chelsea Sundberg started the game in the circle for CMU, lasting three innings and giving up one run on two hits.
Jamie Kertes (16-12) suffered the loss for the Falcons, throwing five innings, allowing two runs on four hits. Paris Imholz pitched the final two innings holding CMU to only one hit.
CMU posted five hits, each coming from a different Chippewa. Darwin and Sexauer each recorded a RBI.
