Sunday, May 2
Muncie, IN
12 p.m.
Ball State University
27-16, 21-6
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Toledo
22-19, 12-13
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Toledo
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Ball State
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Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Softball Celebrates Senior Day with Walk-Off Win Over Toledo
May 02, 2021 | Softball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Ball State's junior class wanted to make sure Sunday would be a memorable day for the nine seniors the softball program was honoring for senior day following the conclusion of the game.
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Little did they know, they would be doing it both in-game and post-game. Junior designated player Amaia Daniel tied the game with a one-out solo bomb of the scoreboard at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex in the bottom of the seventh to send the contest to extra innings.
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Then, after senior center fielder Kennedy Wynn opened the eighth with a single and moved to third on a hit from sophomore shortstop Haley Wynn, it was junior outfielder Faith Hensley's turn.
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Hensley would set off the senior day celebration in fitting style, with a walk-off RBI single to left field giving the Cardinals (27-16, 21-6 Mid-American Conference) a 5-4 (8) victory over visiting Toledo.
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"For our seniors, this game was everything for them," first-year head coach Lacy Wood said after the contest. "Representing their team, their program on senior day and coming through in the clutch for us. They wanted it bad, stuck with the process and pulled out a win."
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It was the team's 13th come-from-behind win in league play this season, and second straight versus the Rockets (22-19, 12-13 MAC), helping BSU salvage a series split.
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"Playing from behind is what we have done all year," Wood added. "Nobody ever really batted an eye at it. We got the job done when we needed to."
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Perhaps the biggest contribution, however, came from one of the nine seniors Ball State was celebrating Sunday. After each team scored three runs in the first inning, the game remained tied until a leadoff home run in the fourth from Toledo's Jenna Kroll.
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Following a lineout, the Rockets followed with three straight walks to load the bases. Enter senior relief pitcher Alyssa Rothwell who stepped up in a big way, striking out the final two batters of the inning looking to keep it a one-run game.
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It was another clutch performance for the senior dubbed "The Closer" who ranks second in NCAA Division I history with 30 career saves. Rothwell was not done there, however, as she dominated the Toledo offense the rest of the day, ultimately ending the contest with eight strikeouts over her 4.2 innings of work.
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"Alyssa entered the game in probably the biggest pressure situation she's faced all year," Wood said about her senior closer. "With so much riding on it, it was a lot of fun to watch her just dominate in the circle."
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Once again, the day got off to an ominous start, with Toledo striking for three runs in the top of the first inning.
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However, Ball State was able to counter with three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning to even the score. It started with a leadoff single from H. Wynn, followed by freshman shortstop Kayla Lissy's MAC-leading seventh triple of the season to drive in the first run.
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Hensley then reached on an error, which also allowed Lissy to score. Two batters later, Daniel followed with her first clutch at bat of the game, smashing an RBI double down the left field line.
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Senior pitcher Darcie Huber started the game for Ball State, holding Toledo to four hits and four runs, over the first 3.1 innings. She also struck out a pair of batters.
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The Ball State softball team is schedule to return to action Tuesday, when Northern Illinois comes to Muncie for a 1 p.m. doubleheader to close the Cardinals' current 12-game home stand.
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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.Â
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However, Tuesday's doubleheader will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and live stats can be found on the softball schedule page of BallStateSports.com.
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Little did they know, they would be doing it both in-game and post-game. Junior designated player Amaia Daniel tied the game with a one-out solo bomb of the scoreboard at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex in the bottom of the seventh to send the contest to extra innings.
Â
Then, after senior center fielder Kennedy Wynn opened the eighth with a single and moved to third on a hit from sophomore shortstop Haley Wynn, it was junior outfielder Faith Hensley's turn.
Â
Hensley would set off the senior day celebration in fitting style, with a walk-off RBI single to left field giving the Cardinals (27-16, 21-6 Mid-American Conference) a 5-4 (8) victory over visiting Toledo.
Â
"For our seniors, this game was everything for them," first-year head coach Lacy Wood said after the contest. "Representing their team, their program on senior day and coming through in the clutch for us. They wanted it bad, stuck with the process and pulled out a win."
Â
It was the team's 13th come-from-behind win in league play this season, and second straight versus the Rockets (22-19, 12-13 MAC), helping BSU salvage a series split.
Â
"Playing from behind is what we have done all year," Wood added. "Nobody ever really batted an eye at it. We got the job done when we needed to."
Â
Perhaps the biggest contribution, however, came from one of the nine seniors Ball State was celebrating Sunday. After each team scored three runs in the first inning, the game remained tied until a leadoff home run in the fourth from Toledo's Jenna Kroll.
Â
Following a lineout, the Rockets followed with three straight walks to load the bases. Enter senior relief pitcher Alyssa Rothwell who stepped up in a big way, striking out the final two batters of the inning looking to keep it a one-run game.
Â
It was another clutch performance for the senior dubbed "The Closer" who ranks second in NCAA Division I history with 30 career saves. Rothwell was not done there, however, as she dominated the Toledo offense the rest of the day, ultimately ending the contest with eight strikeouts over her 4.2 innings of work.
Â
"Alyssa entered the game in probably the biggest pressure situation she's faced all year," Wood said about her senior closer. "With so much riding on it, it was a lot of fun to watch her just dominate in the circle."
Â
Once again, the day got off to an ominous start, with Toledo striking for three runs in the top of the first inning.
Â
However, Ball State was able to counter with three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning to even the score. It started with a leadoff single from H. Wynn, followed by freshman shortstop Kayla Lissy's MAC-leading seventh triple of the season to drive in the first run.
Â
Hensley then reached on an error, which also allowed Lissy to score. Two batters later, Daniel followed with her first clutch at bat of the game, smashing an RBI double down the left field line.
Â
Senior pitcher Darcie Huber started the game for Ball State, holding Toledo to four hits and four runs, over the first 3.1 innings. She also struck out a pair of batters.
Â
The Ball State softball team is schedule to return to action Tuesday, when Northern Illinois comes to Muncie for a 1 p.m. doubleheader to close the Cardinals' current 12-game home stand.
Â
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.Â
Â
However, Tuesday's doubleheader will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and live stats can be found on the softball schedule page of BallStateSports.com.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Rothwell, Alyssa (4-4)
L: HUNT, Erin (16-12)
Batting:
HR: KROLL, Jenna 1
RBI: MOORE, Macey 1 ; KROLL, Jenna 2
Base Running:
RUNS: MUNSON, Leah 1 ; DENNER, Dayna 1 ; MOORE, Macey 1 ; KROLL, Jenna 1
Batting:
2B: Dominique, Haley 1 ; Daniel, Amaia 1
3B: Lissy, Kayla 1
HR: Daniel, Amaia 1
RBI: Lissy, Kayla 1 ; Hensley, Faith 1 ; Daniel, Amaia 2
SH: Magnifico, Gabby 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Wynn, Haley 1 ; Lissy, Kayla 1 ; Hensley, Faith 1 ; Daniel, Amaia 1 ; Wynn, Kennedy 1
SB: Hensley, Faith 1
CS: Hensley, Faith 1
HBP: Wynn, Haley 1 ; Hogg, Janae 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
2
c/1b
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
5
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
Uti
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballINF/OF
/ Softball
OF
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