Saturday, May 1
Muncie, IN
1 p.m.
Ball State University
25-16, 19-6
4
vs
6
Toledo
22-17, 12-11
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7
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E
Toledo
0
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5
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6
8
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Ball State
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4
9
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Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Nine-Run Third Lifts Softball Past Toledo in Saturday’s Nightcap
May 01, 2021 | Softball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - If there was one thing the Ball State softball team needed Saturday afternoon at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex, it was a big inning.
The Cardinals (26-16, 20-6 MAC) had just suffered their second straight 6-4 loss to Toledo in the Saturday's opening game. Then, the Rockets (22-18, 12-12 MAC) put a five-spot on the scoreboard in the top of the first in the second game.
While Ball State had managed to chip away at the lead with single runs in both the first and second innings, the team badly needed to recapture the offensive momentum it enjoyed during a 19-2 start in league play.
The Cardinals got just what they needed in the bottom of the third, exploding for a nine runs on their way to a 14-5 (5) victory. It was Ball State's 12th come-from-behind win in 20 MAC victories, and marked the largest inning of the season.
It was also the Cardinals' 20th inning of the season with four-or-more runs, topping its previous best of eight runs in the first inning of the 16-5 (5) win at Central Michigan (April 4).
Senior outfielder Faith Hensley opened the nine-run third with a double, and scored one out later on a double from junior second baseman Amaia Daniel. Following a second out, an RBI single from junior designated player Trinity Eckerty drove in the second run.
Toledo looked to get out of the inning in the next at bat, but a shallow fly was dropped by the Rockets center fielder to keep the rally alive. Seven hits later, Ball State had put up seven more runs to take control of the game.
After a rough opening inning, which was aided by a Ball State error, junior pitcher Tieghan Morio was able to regain control in the circle, limiting Toledo to just three base runners over the final four innings. In addition, one of the baserunners was caught in a double play and another was caught stealing.
In all, Morio improved to 9-3 on the year after holding the Rockets to just five hits and five runs, only three of which were earned, over her 5.0 innings of work. She also struck out four batters in the game.
Highlighting a Ball State offense which put up 14 runs and 17 hits was Hensley who went 4-for-4, with three RBI, three runs scored and three doubles. Two of those doubles came in the third inning, capped by a two-run shot to the fence in left field.
Daniel finished the game with three hits, including a walk-off, two-run bomb in the bottom of the fifth inning.
In all, eight different Cardinals recorded at least one hit in the win, while seven had at least one RBI and 11 scored at least one run.
That effort helped offset an opening game which saw the Cardinals take an early lead, only to have Toledo use a five-run fourth to take control.
Trailing 6-2, Ball State did manage to score single runs in the fifth and sixth, but could not complete the comeback win.
Senior first baseman Stacy Payton provided a pair of runs in the game, with RBI singles in both the third and fifth innings. The other two runs came courtesy of a RBI double from senior outfielder Haley Dominique in the first inning, and Daniel's first to two home runs on the day in the sixth.
Senior Alyssa Rothwell also put together a brilliant effort in relief in the opener, striking out six batters and allowing just one hit over the final 3.0 innings.
The Ball State softball team will look salvage a series split with the Rockets Sunday, with a noon first pitch on what will serve as the program's senior day.
Following the conclusion of the game, the Cardinals will recognize the following seniors for their contributions over their Ball State careers: Hailey Demnianiuk, Haley Dominique, Kendall Fields, Janae Hogg, Katie Janiga, Delanie Johnson, Gabby Magnifico, Alyssa Rothwell and Kennedy Wynn.
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and resulting department of health guidance, there will be no general public attendance at Ball State softball home games this season.
However, Sunday's contest will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and live stats can be found on the softball schedule page of BallStateSports.com.
The Cardinals (26-16, 20-6 MAC) had just suffered their second straight 6-4 loss to Toledo in the Saturday's opening game. Then, the Rockets (22-18, 12-12 MAC) put a five-spot on the scoreboard in the top of the first in the second game.
While Ball State had managed to chip away at the lead with single runs in both the first and second innings, the team badly needed to recapture the offensive momentum it enjoyed during a 19-2 start in league play.
The Cardinals got just what they needed in the bottom of the third, exploding for a nine runs on their way to a 14-5 (5) victory. It was Ball State's 12th come-from-behind win in 20 MAC victories, and marked the largest inning of the season.
It was also the Cardinals' 20th inning of the season with four-or-more runs, topping its previous best of eight runs in the first inning of the 16-5 (5) win at Central Michigan (April 4).
Senior outfielder Faith Hensley opened the nine-run third with a double, and scored one out later on a double from junior second baseman Amaia Daniel. Following a second out, an RBI single from junior designated player Trinity Eckerty drove in the second run.
Toledo looked to get out of the inning in the next at bat, but a shallow fly was dropped by the Rockets center fielder to keep the rally alive. Seven hits later, Ball State had put up seven more runs to take control of the game.
After a rough opening inning, which was aided by a Ball State error, junior pitcher Tieghan Morio was able to regain control in the circle, limiting Toledo to just three base runners over the final four innings. In addition, one of the baserunners was caught in a double play and another was caught stealing.
In all, Morio improved to 9-3 on the year after holding the Rockets to just five hits and five runs, only three of which were earned, over her 5.0 innings of work. She also struck out four batters in the game.
Highlighting a Ball State offense which put up 14 runs and 17 hits was Hensley who went 4-for-4, with three RBI, three runs scored and three doubles. Two of those doubles came in the third inning, capped by a two-run shot to the fence in left field.
Daniel finished the game with three hits, including a walk-off, two-run bomb in the bottom of the fifth inning.
In all, eight different Cardinals recorded at least one hit in the win, while seven had at least one RBI and 11 scored at least one run.
That effort helped offset an opening game which saw the Cardinals take an early lead, only to have Toledo use a five-run fourth to take control.
Trailing 6-2, Ball State did manage to score single runs in the fifth and sixth, but could not complete the comeback win.
Senior first baseman Stacy Payton provided a pair of runs in the game, with RBI singles in both the third and fifth innings. The other two runs came courtesy of a RBI double from senior outfielder Haley Dominique in the first inning, and Daniel's first to two home runs on the day in the sixth.
Senior Alyssa Rothwell also put together a brilliant effort in relief in the opener, striking out six batters and allowing just one hit over the final 3.0 innings.
The Ball State softball team will look salvage a series split with the Rockets Sunday, with a noon first pitch on what will serve as the program's senior day.
Following the conclusion of the game, the Cardinals will recognize the following seniors for their contributions over their Ball State careers: Hailey Demnianiuk, Haley Dominique, Kendall Fields, Janae Hogg, Katie Janiga, Delanie Johnson, Gabby Magnifico, Alyssa Rothwell and Kennedy Wynn.
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and resulting department of health guidance, there will be no general public attendance at Ball State softball home games this season.
However, Sunday's contest will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and live stats can be found on the softball schedule page of BallStateSports.com.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: JOHNSON, Annika (2-1)
L: Morio, Tieghan (8-3)
S: HUNT, Erin (2)
Batting:
2B: MARRA, Aleah 1
RBI: MARRA, Aleah 2 ; ERICKSON, Lauren 2 ; BEYER, Lily 2
SF: BEYER, Lily 1
Base Running:
RUNS: REED, Arika 1 ; DIXON, Anna 1 ; MOHR, Riley 1 ; ERICKSON, Lauren 2 ; BEYER, Lily 1
Batting:
2B: Dominique, Haley 1
HR: Daniel, Amaia 1
RBI: Dominique, Haley 1 ; Payton, Stacy 2 ; Daniel, Amaia 1
SH: Lissy, Kayla 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Wynn, Haley 2 ; Lissy, Kayla 1 ; Daniel, Amaia 1
SB: Lissy, Kayla 1 ; Hensley, Faith 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
2
AB
3
R
2
H
1
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
Uti
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
C/Uti
/ Softball
INF/OF
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballC/INF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
OF
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