Margo Jonker's program has always been predicated on the production of her top players in her 31 years at the helm of Central Michigan University's softball team, so it was no surprise that she needed — and got — a little help from two of her top hitters in what turned out to be a historic day on Thursday.

Down a run to visiting Michigan State, and hitless through three innings, CMU got record-setting home runs from both Christina Novak and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep grad Molly Coldren to earn a 5-1 win for Jonker, the coach's 1,000th career victory.

Jonker became the 11th coach in Division I softball history to pass the milestone.

“It’s darn tough to beat. It’s a perfect day for softball,” Jonker told Jim Lahde of the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun (read his full coverage here and here). “I feel very fortunate for all the players that chose to come to Central Michigan University over the (last) 31 years to allow this to happen. It just says a lot about the program so I’m very proud.”

Novak's solo shot in the fourth was the 17th in her four-year career, setting CMU's all-time record. Coldren's solo homer in the sixth, which provided insurance, was her ninth, giving her sole possession of the school's single-season record.