Eagles Rally To Defeat Chippewas, 6-5

Box Score

YPSILANTI, Mich.- After being down 5-0, the Eastern Michigan University softball team rallied behind a five-run sixth inning to defeat the Central Michigan Chippewas, 6-5. Coupled with yesterday's win, it marked the first time in EMU softball history that the Eagles swept a regular season series from CMU.

The win moves EMU to 15-22 (3-7 MAC) on the year, while Central falls to 7-21 (1-8 MAC). Sophomore Jaclyn Caro (Chino, Calif.-St. Lucy's Priory) picked up the win (10-8), going 7.0 innings while giving up five runs on six hits while striking out four. The Eagles tallied eight hits on the afternoon, led by McKenna Russ (North Canton, Ohio-Hoover) and Heather Han (Lafayette, Ind.-McCutcheon) with two hits each.

The Eagles plated a run in the fifth inning to get within 5-1, off a Han RBI single to score Russ, who reached on a double of her own to left center.

EMU continued its rally in the sixth inning, with Kaylee Tolliver (Amanda, Ohio-Amanda Clearcreek) starting the frame with a single. Kelsey Greene (Burr Oak, Mich.-Burr Oak) then answered with a double, with pinch hitter Jessica Patterson's (Ionia, Mich.-Ionia) single through the right side bringing the home team back within three, 5-2. Stacie Skodinski's (South Bend, Ind.-Washington) bases-clearing triple down the right field line tied the game at 5-5. Han then reached on an error by the shortstop, bringing Skodinki home and giving the Eagles their first lead of the game, 6-5. EMU kept Central off the board in the seventh, completing the comeback win.

The Chippewas struck in the first inning, taking advantage of an EMU error and one hit to plate two runs. The Eagles had runners on the corners and then the bases loaded in the second frame, but could not cash in on the opportunity, keeping the score at 2-0 in favor of CMU.

CMU put another run on the board in the fourth inning off a controversial triple down the right field line, extending its lead to 3-0. The ball appeared to go foul, but was not called. A two-run fifth inning once again increased the CMU lead, bringing it to 5-0.

The Eagles return to non-conference action this week, first traveling to Cleveland, Ohio to take on Cleveland State, Tuesday, April 14. The doubleheader is set for 3 p.m. EMU will then head down Washtenaw Ave., April 15, to take on the No. 8 Michigan Wolverines. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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