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MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Chelsea Sundberg held Akron to only one run, as the Central Michigan softball team claimed a 6-1 win at home on Saturday.
Chelsea DeLamielleure found the perfect time to record the Chippewas' (23-25, 8-10 Mid-American Conference) first hit of the game in the bottom of the third, following a solo home run to left center. Macy Merchant followed DeLamielleure with a chopper to third that was misplayed, allowing her to reach first. Merchant was off and running with her 13th stolen base of the season, giving CMU a runner in scoring position. Another Zips' (20-28-1, 4-13 MAC) fielding error put Raechel Zahrn on first while Merchant took advantage of the misplay and scored. CMU led 2-0 after three innings.
The Chippewas first threatened in the bottom of the second. The first two batters reached base following an error and walk with no outs, but a fly out and two grounders allowed the Zips to end the inning with the score still locked at zero.
In the bottom of the fourth CarolAnn Sexauer began the inning with a hit up the middle. Two batters later, Rachael Hensel matched Sexauer with another base shot to center. DeLamielleure laid down a bunt and reached first to load the bases for CMU. After a fielder's choice recording the force out at home, Karly Hansen sent a hard ground ball to second, that the fielder let roll between her legs, scoring two Chippewas. With runners on first and third, the Zips were able to record the third out of the inning with a pickoff at third. The Maroon and Gold led 4-0 after four complete innings.
Sundberg had retired 12-straight batters until Allison Dorr roped a double to the left center fence. A CMU error placed runners on first and third with one out in the top of the fifth. Sundberg got out of the jam by getting the next two batters to fly out, ending the threat.
The Zips had runners on first and second in the top of the sixth for Alissa Birkhimer, who sent a long ball to the left field fence. Gilson had a good read on the ball and was able to make the catch running into the fence, holding the runners. On the ensuing play a throw from Hensel to DeLamielleure at third allowed CMU to catch the Zips stealing and record the third out of the inning.
Feeding off that momentum, DeLamielleure recorded her third hit of day with a double to left center scoring Brittney Horan, who singled to begin the sixth inning. DeLamielleure finished the inning scoring on a wild pitch by Birkhimer, who came on in relief for Akron.
Kellie Roudabush erased Sundberg's shutout in the top of the seventh with a solo home run over the left field fence.
CMU finished with seven hits, three of which came from DeLamielleure who finished 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBI.
Sundberg (9-8) threw all seven innings allowing one run on five hits.
Brittany Maurer (16-21) lasted five innings, giving up two earned runs, five total, on six hits. Birkhimer threw the remaining inning allowing one run on one hit.
The Chippewas and Zips will meet once more, Sunday at 1 p.m., at Margo Jonker Stadium.
