DETROIT - The Central Michigan softball team scored 25 runs in 10 innings on Tuesday in a doubleheader against Detroit, as it rolled 14-4 and 11-1.
The Chippewas (13-11) blasted six home runs while mercy-ruling the Titans (7-19) in five innings both games.
This was the final set of games before the Chippewas begin Mid-American Conference play on Friday, in a twinbill at Kent State beginning at 1 p.m.
"It took us a while to get started but once we got going we caught on fire," said head coach Margo Jonker. "I thought Molly Coldren was relaxed and when she is in that mode she is a great hitter. We saw power from some of our youth which was also great to see. I think that we build from this and carry momentum into conference play on Friday."
Coldren finished the day a perfect 4-for-4 with a home run while freshmen CarolAnn Sexauer and Chelsea DeLamielleure both had two home runs each.
Chippewas Score 11 in the Fourth in Game One
With one out and two baserunners, CarolAnn Sexauer sent a ball deep over center giving the Chippewas a 5-3 lead in the top of the fourth. Three batters later, Coldren doubled to left field driving in two more runs for the Maroon and Gold. Ashley Gilson followed Coldren and recorded the team's second home run of the inning when she sent a ball to deep center. After Brogan Darwin earned a walk DeLamielleure notched her first deep ball of the season by homering to left, making the score 11-3 in favor of the visitors.
Coldren recorded her fifth home run of the season in the top of the fifth that allowed CMU to reach the mercy rule at 14-4.
CMU did not wait long to strike against the Titans by posting two runs in the top of the first. Raechel Zahrn recorded a one-out single and was soon joined on the base paths by Summer Knoop who was walked. Coldren, batting in the cleanup spot, hit a single to center scoring Knoop. Ashley Gilson followed Coldren with a single to the shortstop bringing home Knoop.
Detroit responded in the bottom of the first when the lead-off batter was driven home on a double to left field. After holding the Chippewas scoreless for two innings, the Titans grabbed the lead in the bottom of the third off a two-run blast to right field. That lead was short lived as the Chippewas scored 11 runs on 10 hits in the top of the fourth.
Kara Dornbos began the game in the circle for the Chippewas throwing three innings allowing three runs on four hits. She was relieved in the bottom of the fourth by Morgan Yuncker who threw the final two innings allowing one unearned run on three hits.
Nine different Chippewas recorded hits with Coldren leading the way going 3-for-3 with three RBI. Zahrn, Gilson and Sexauer each finished the game 2-for-3 with Gilson having four RBI, tying her career-high.
Sexauer Blasts First Collegiate Grand Slam in Game Two
With the bases loaded midway through the third inning, CarolAnn Sexauer blasted a ball over the center field fence for her first collegiate grand slam and her second home run on the day.
The Chippewas again jumped out early in the first, following a double down the left field line by Summer Knoop. The double allowed Raechel Zahrn to score, who singled in her first at bat. Two batters latter, Ashley Gilson hit a hard ground ball to right field scoring Knoop, making the score 2-0 in favor of the Maroon and Gold.
After stopping the scoring threat from Detroit in the bottom of the first, CMU began the second inning with solo homer by DeLamielleure, her second of the day.
Like the first game, the CMU offense exploded only this time in the top of the third. Two early errors by the Titans allowed the Chippewas to push the score to 4-0. Brittney Horan doubled down the left line recording an RBI and making the lead 5-0. DeLamielleure followed Horan with a single to right allowing her to also record a RBI. Sexauer cleared the bases with a rocket to center, putting CMU in front 10-0. One final run was recorded off Titan error, which allowed Gilson to reach first and Brogan Darwin to score.
Detroit began the bottom of the third with a solo shot to left field, the only run allowed by the Chippewas in game two.
Chelsea Sundberg threw the first three innings for CMU allowing one run on three hits, while striking out four. Kristen Kuhlman came on in relief in the bottom of the fourth giving up only two hits.
Sexauer and DeLamielleure both finished the game 2-for-3 with four and two RBI, respectively.
