Softball Drops Series Finale To Ball State - Central Michigan University Chippewas

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4/16/2021 | 3 p.m.

CSN Digital

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Central Michigan softball team hit the ball and scored some runs, but Ball State used a pair of big innings in downing the Chippewas, 16-5, on Sunday at Margo Jonker Stadium in the finale of a four-game Mid-American Conference series.
 
The Chippewas are 4-18, 2-10 MAC. They are idle next weekend and then are scheduled to entertain Northern Illinois in a four-game MAC series beginning on April 16.
 
Ball State scored eight runs in the first inning and never trailed. The Chippewas struck back with five runs in the bottom of the first, highlighted by Kelsey Alexander's grand slam.
 
It was the first career homer for Alexander, a sophomore catcher.
 
"That home run was huge for our team in general," said CMU coach McCall Salmon, whose team used an eight-run inning on Saturday to take the lead against the Cardinals before eventually succumbing. "We talk about how these kids don't quit. We could have laid down as soon as they put eight on us, but we said, 'Hey, we put up an eight spot yesterday; let's fight, let's punch back.' And (Alexander) definitely answered the call there. That was a huge hit for us."
 
The Cardinals extended their lead to 10-5 with two runs in the second and then scored six more runs in the third. The game was called after five innings on the run rule.
 
Shaidan Knapp singled and doubled and Alexander finished with two hits to lead CMU's six-hit attack.
 
The Chippewas dropped all four games in the series and last week dropped four at Miami (Ohio). The RedHawks were second in the preseason poll and Ball State was third. The Cardinals lead the MAC in hitting and Miami is second; the RedHawk pitching staff has the league's best earned run average.
 
In short, the Chippewas have seen arguably the league's two best teams in the past two weekends but have continued to battle. They collected 30 hits and scored 22 runs against Ball State. Their 13 hits and 10 runs in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader were season highs.
 
"Miami and Ball State are the top two dogs right now in the MAC," Salmon said. "The biggest thing we're seeing is that we're fighters – we're going to keep fighting. We've got to work on and make some adjustments in the circle and defensively, but as far as what we're seeing out of our hitters, we're right where we need to be.
 
"We've seen how we have to bring defense, pitching and offense consistently every game to win. Right now we're bringing two of the three. Once we get to that point where we're consistently bringing all three, we're going to keep moving forward and we're going to get on the right track.
 
"Our mind is a powerful thing, and it has to start with believing in yourself. When you believe in yourself then you believe in your team. We're just reiterating how they need to continue to believe in themselves and everything else will come together."
 
Cloe Mallory (1-3) started and took the loss on Sunday. Katilyn Bean, Caitlyn Britton and Faith Howe each pitched in relief for the Chippewas.
 
 

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Softball Drops Series Finale To Ball State - Central Michigan University Chippewas
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