Timmons’ Home Runs, Eubank’s Pitching Help Softball Advance in MAC Championship

Friday, May 10

Akron, Ohio (Firestone Stadium)

4 p.m.

Ball State University

28-28

Toledo

26-23

Ball State

Toledo

Timmons’ Home Runs, Eubank’s Pitching Help Softball Advance in MAC Championship

May 10, 2024 | Softball

Box Score Box Score: Ball State 9 - Toledo 7

AKRON, Ohio - - In Friday's second elimination game, sixth-seeded Ball State redshirt junior catcher McKayla Timmons did not disappoint, blasting a pair of home runs to help lift the Cardinals (28-28) to a thrilling 9-7 victory over fourth-seeded Toledo in the Mid-American Conference Softball Championship at Firestone Stadium.

Timmons opened the scoring with her Ball State single season record 24th home run of the season, a two-run blast to left center in the top of the third. She added what proved to be a crucial shot later in the game, as the Rockets (26-23) elected to pitch to her with two outs and no one on base in the top of the sixth.

The second blast helped sparked a three-run sixth for the Cardinals which offset a late charge by Toledo. After a walk to graduate designated player Jazmyne Armendariz, who was replaced by sophomore pinch runner Grace Spencer, a double to left center by redshirt sophomore shortstop McKenna Mulholland drove in what proved to be the game-winning run.

Junior right fielder Madison Weaver followed with a RBI single to center, giving Ball State a 9-1 edge.

The Rockets offense came to life from there, scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth and four in the bottom of the seventh to draw within two. Enter Ball State redshirt junior pitcher Emma Eubank with one out and a runner at first.

Eubank would thrive under the pressure, inducing a fielder's choice to short and a soft liner to second to end the game and set up a rematch with second-seeded Ohio in the tournament's second semifinal showdown.

Eubank's effort followed a strong start from sophomore Bridie Murphy who improved to 10-10 on the season by limiting the Rockets to nine hits and three runs over her 5.2 innings of work.

SCORING SUMMARY - No. 6 Ball State 9 - No. 4 Toledo 7
T3 | Following a bunt single from Wynn, Timmons gives Ball State a 2-0 lead with her single season program record 24th home run of the season (2-0)
T3 | Mulholland adds her second bomb of the 2024 campaign to push our lead to three (3-0)
B4 | Lauren Erickson gets Toledo on the board with a solo shot to center (3-1)
T5 | A bases loaded walk to graduate first baseman Samantha-Jo Mata extends the lead back to three (4-1)
T5 | A two-out, two-run single to right by redshirt sophomore pinch hitter Jessica Hoffman pushes the lead to five (6-1)
T6 | Timmons crushed a two-out solo shot to left center, her 25th of the season (7-1)
T6 | Armendariz draws a walk, is replaced by Spencer who scores on a Mulholland double to left center (8-1)
T6 | Weaver drops an RBI single into center field, bringing home Mulholland (9-1)
B6 | Madison Mikulski doubles to left center, bringing in a run (9-2)
B6 | Emily Bracamonte followed with an RBI double of her own (9-3)
B7 | A bases load sac fly by Riley Mohr cuts BSU's edge to five (9-4)
B7 | Lauren Erickson follows with a RBU single to center (9-5)
B7 | A two-run single to left by Maris Barbato caps the scoring in the game (9-7)

UP NEXT:
The Ball State softball team is currently playing No. 2 seed Ohio in the semifinals of the elimination bracket for a berth in Saturday's MAC Championship game.