Softball Blasts Past Toledo in Series Opener

Friday, April 19

Muncie, Ind.

1 p.m.

Ball State University

30-15, 8-5

Toledo (GM 1)

16-23, 5-7

Toledo

Ball State

Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services

April 19, 2019 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery

MUNCIE, Ind.- - With Ball State University President Geoffrey Mearns on hand to throw out the first pitch of Friday's series opener versus Toledo, the Cardinals (30-16; 8-6 Mid-American Conference) blasted three home runs to top the Rockets (17-23; 6-7 MAC) by a score of 4-2 on Most Valuable Professor Day at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.

Unfortunately, Ball State was unable to hold onto the momentum in the nightcap, suffering a 5-2 loss to Toledo. The teams are currently scheduled to play the rubber game in the three-game series, as well as honor its four-member senior class, Saturday at 3 p.m. weather permitting.

After a pair of scoreless innings, it was the Rockets who would strike first in the series opener by capitalizing on a pair of walks and an RBI single in the top of the third to pull ahead 1-0.

However, the Cardinals would not trail for long, as junior slugger Janae Hogg blasted her seventh home run of the season to even the score with one out in the bottom of the third.

Ball State's rally was not done there, as freshman second baseman Amaia Daniel singled and sophomore third baseman Stacy Payton doubled to give BSU a pair of runners in scoring position.

The reigning MAC Player of the Week and MAC Female Scholar Athlete of the Week, sophomore designated player Kendall Fields, followed with an RBI single through the left side to give BSU a 2-1 edge.

Two innings later, Fields provided her fourth home run in as many games with a leadoff bomb to right field, which also gave her a reverse home run cycle over the last four games.

The Rockets would counter with an RBI double in the top of the sixth, but senior catcher Olivia Huffman opened the bottom of the frame with a solo home run to give BSU an insurance run at 4-2.

That was all the run support the Cardinals pitching staff would need, as junior closer Alyssa Rothwell entered the game in the top of the seventh and went on to break her own Ball State and MAC single season record with her 12th save of the year.

In addition to Rothwell's effort in the circle, freshman Tieghan Morio threw the first three innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run. Senior Aeshia Miles pitched the next three innings, surrendering just one hit and one run, while earning the victory to improve to 6-8 on the year.

All three Ball State pitchers also collected a strikeout in the game.

The Cardinals looked poised to break the second game open early, loading the bases with no outs in the top of the first. Unfortunately, they were only able to push across one run on a walk to Payton.

Ball State loaded the bases again in the bottom of the third with no outs, but came up empty handed this time, clinging to a 1-0 lead.

The lack of a timely hit proved costly, however, as Toledo used a two-out, three-run home run in the top of the fourth to take control of the game.

The Rockets extended their lead to 4-1 with another run in the top of the fifth, only to see Ball State counter with a tally of its own in the bottom of the inning thanks to a two-out RBI single up the middle from freshman pinch hitter Trinity Eckerty.

Unfortunately, that was BSU's only run the rest of the way, while Toledo added another score in the top of the seventh to win the game 5-2.

Miles had another strong showing in relief, throwing the final 2.1 innings and yielding just two hits and one run while striking out four. Freshman Sarah Venker started the game for BSU, allowing five hits and four runs over the first 4.2 innings. She also struck out four batters.

Overall, Fields finished the doubleheader with a team-high three hits, while Huffman logged a pair of hits in the opener. Hogg and Payton also had two hits over the two games.

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