Softball Suffers Pair of Losses at Toledo

Friday, May 6

Toledo, Ohio

1:00 PM

Ball State University

22-30, 8-14

Toledo - GM 1

19-31, 10-11

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Ball State	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	6	0
Toledo	0	0	1	1	0	0	X	2	3	0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Ball State	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1
Toledo	0	0	4	1	0	0	X	5	8	0

Softball Loses 11-3 Slugfest at Jacksonville

May 06, 2016 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

By: Ball State Athletics

TOLEDO, Ohio - - The Ball State softball team could not overcome the hottest team in the Mid-American Conference, as it dropped both ends of a league doubleheader at Toledo Friday afternoon at Scott Park.

With a 2-1 loss in the opener and a 5-0 setback in the nightcap, the Cardinals fell to 22-31 (8-15 MAC) and have been eliminated from contention for a spot in next week's MAC Tournament. Toledo, which extended is winning streak to 12 games with the pair of wins, improved to 20-31 (11-11 MAC).

Junior center fielder India Steward led the Ball State offense with three hits over the two games, while senior second baseman Selena Reyna and freshman outfielder Aeshia Miles each collected a pair of hits.

The two teams will conclude their three-game series Saturday, with a schedule 1 p.m. first pitch at Scott Park. With inclement weather expected, check BallStateSports.com or follow the team on Twitter (@BallStateSB) for updates on tomorrow's planned start time.

After two-and-a-half scoreless innings in the opener, the Rockets tallied the game's first run in the bottom of the third on a one-out squeeze bunt.

Ball State answered with a run of its own in the top of the third, as sophomore catcher Leigh McAnally sparked a rally with a one-out ground rule double. After advancing to third on a fly out from senior shortstop Emily Dabkowski, McAnally came around to score the Cardinals' only run of the day on a RBI single to center field from Reyna.

Unfortunately, Toledo would counter with a two-out solo home run in the bottom of the fourth to pull ahead 2-1. While Ball State senior pitcher Nicole Steinbach answered by retiring the final seven batters she faced, the Cardinals offense was held to just a seventh inning two-out Steward single over its final two at bats.

Overall, Steinbach did a solid job in the circle, limiting Toledo to three hits while collecting three strikeouts. The Ball State offense connected for six hits, with two apiece from Steward and Reyna.

The second game also started with the teams playing two-and-a-half scoreless innings before the Rockets offense exploded for a four-run third inning. Toledo added another run in the fourth to pull ahead 5-0.

After being held without a base runner over the first four-and-a-third innings, Steward broke up Toledo's perfect game bid with a one-out single to center field. Unfortunately, Ball State would strand her on second and also failed to capitalize on a one-out single from Miles in the sixth and a one-out double from Dabkowski in the seventh.

For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSoftball.

- BallStateSports.com –