Softball Earns MAC West Division Title; No. 2 Seed in MAC Tournament

TOLEDO, Ohio- - It all came down to the final game of the regular season and the Ball State softball team did not disappoint, earning a hard-fought 2-1 (9) victory over Toledo Saturday evening at Scott Park.

With the win, the Cardinals (34-17; 16-7 MAC) secured the program's seventh Mid-American Conference West Division title and locked up the second seed in next week's MAC Softball Championship.

"I am so proud of where the program has come over the past three seasons," head coach Megan Ciolli Bartlett said. "Not only are they talented, but they are starting to show signs of being tough under adversity. That is how championship programs are made."

Second-seeded Ball State opens play in the 2018 MAC Softball Championship Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. versus seventh-seeded Northern Illinois at Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio.

After shutting out the Rockets (32-19; 16-7 MAC) by a score of 1-0 in Friday's series opener, the Cardinals found themselves on the short end of a 9-1 (6) contest in Saturday's early game, which helped Toledo earn a share of the MAC West Division title.

Ball State was able to rebound, however, as junior pitcher Aeshia Miles threw 7.1 hitless innings, while junior catcher Olivia Huffman and senior second baseman Maddy Labrador came through with extra-inning RBI hits to guide the Cardinals to the series victory.

"Our team did a great job rebounding from a tough loss in today's opener," Bartlett said. "Toledo is a good team. Their pitching staff is really tough and a good complement for each other. I thought the hitters did a nice job staying calm and getting better each at bat. By the end of the second game, we consistently had runners in scoring position. When we do that, we are a tough team to beat."

Overall, the Cardinals collected 13 hits in Saturday's nightcap, with three each from Labrador and sophomore center fielder Kennedy Wynn. Labrador and Wynn both also logged doubles in the contest, with Wynn's coming in the seventh and Labrador's driving in the eventual game-winning run in the ninth.

Huffman, who had two hits in the game, came up big in the eighth by breaking up a scoreless contest with an RBI single following base knocks from freshman shortstop Hailey Demnianiuk and Labrador.

The Cardinals would go on to load the bases with no outs in the eighth but could not push across another run.

Unfortunately, after Miles held the Rockets hitless over the first seven-and-a-third innings, Toledo managed back-to-back singles with one out in the bottom of the eighth. A Ball State error on what could have been a game-ending double play followed, while a bases loaded walk plated an unearned run to tie the score.

Miles finished the game allowing just two hits and one unearned run over her 7.1 innings of work. She also struck out six batters.

"I can't say enough about Aeshia," Bartlett said. "She is such an incredible competitor. She refused to give in to Toledo's hitters and turned in a really gutsy performance."

After Toledo tied the score, enter sophomore closer Alyssa Rothwell, who with bases still loaded, served up a double play ball on a pop up to shallow right field. Labrador collected the fly about three steps into the grass and was easily able to throw out the Toledo runner who tagged up at third and came home looking for the game-winning run.

Ball State was given a little extra life in the top of the ninth, as a Toledo fielder was credited with a dropped foul to extend freshman third baseman Stacy Payton's at bat. The error proved costly, as Payton eventually singled to left field and was replaced by freshman pinch runner Taylor Castleberry.

Junior right fielder Madison Lee, who hit her fourth home run of the season in Saturday's opening game to account for Ball State's only run in the contest, followed with a walk. After a sac bunt from Demnianiuk moved both runners into scoring position, Labrador blasted a double off the top of the fence in left field to drive home Castleberry for what proved to be the game-winning run.

Rothwell took charge from there, retiring the Rockets in order in the bottom of the ninth to earn her sixth win of the season. Overall, Rothwell retired all four batters she faced, including forcing the pivotal double play to end the eighth.

"Alyssa came in and slammed the door in the second game. After a rough outing in game one, she collected herself and came back in and spun the ball like she is capable of. She came up with some big outs at the end of the game."

The Ball State softball team begins its quest for the program's fourth MAC Tournament title Wednesday.

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

Softball Earns MAC West Division Title; No. 2 Seed in MAC Tournament

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Team Stats

Annie Robinson

Stacy Payton

Madison Lee

Maddy Labrador

Players Mentioned

Taylor Castleberry

Hailey Demnianiuk

Olivia Huffman

Maddy Labrador

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Stacy Payton

Alyssa Rothwell

Kennedy Wynn

Players Mentioned

Taylor Castleberry

Hailey Demnianiuk

Olivia Huffman

Maddy Labrador

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Stacy Payton

Alyssa Rothwell

Kennedy Wynn