Softball Splits Friday DH at Akron

AKRON, Ohio - - Led by more solid performances from redshirt senior catcher McKayla Timmons and junior pitcher Ella Whitney, the Ball State softball team opened Mid-American Conference play with a 6-1 victory over Akron Friday afternoon at Lee R. Jackson Field.

Unfortunately, the Cardinals (14-7; 1-1 MAC) could not keep up the momentum in the nightcap, suffering a 12-4 (5) loss to the Zips (13-12; 1-1 MAC).

Sophomore shortstop Maia Pietrzak opened the league season for the Cardinals with a bunt single and Timmons took advantage in the next at bat, blasting a two-run homer to center field.

While Akron would answer with one run in the bottom of the first, Ball State regained the momentum in the top of the third starting with another leadoff single from Pietrzak. Cue Timmons who added her second two-run blast of the game to push the score to 4-1.

That was all the run support Whitney would need in the circle, as she limited Akron to the lone run while scattering eight hits to pick up her league-leading ninth win of the season. She also struck out five Zips in the game and would help her own cause from the plate in the top of the seventh with a two-out, bases-loaded, two-run double.

Starting as designated player, Whitney would go on to open the scoring in the second game with her fourth home run of the season to give the Cardinals a brief 1-0 edge. Unfortunately, Akron scored five in the bottom of the inning and controlled play from there.

Ball State would tack on a second run on an RBI ground out from redshirt junior center fielder Hayley Urban in the top of the third, which plated Whitney who reached base on the first of back-to-back one-out doubles.

Trailing 9-2 entering the top of the fifth, the Cardinals would also get two more home runs. The first, a leadoff shot from Timmons. The second, a one-out solo blast from senior left fielder Kara Gunter. Unfortunately, the Zips countered with four in the bottom of the fifth to end the game at 12-4.

NOTES:
- With home runs in each game Friday, Timmons extended her current hitting streak to 13 games and upped her streak of reaching base safely to 47 games.
- Timmons three home runs on the day raises her career total to 50 … She entered the day tied for eighth among all active NCAA Division I players with 47.
- With five more RBI on the day, Timmons raised her career total to 153 which moves her from sixth into a tie for third in program history.
- With her complete game victory in the opener, Whitney lowered her team-leading ERA to 1.55 … The effort currently ranks second in the MAC, while her .206 average against is first among all MAC pitchers.

UP NEXT:
Ball State and Akron are currently scheduled to play the rubber game of their three-game series Saturday at 1 p.m. back at Lee R. Jackson Field.

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Team Stats

Kara Gunter

Ella Whitney

McKayla Timmons

Maddie Weaver

Players Mentioned

Kara Gunter

Maia Pietrzak

McKayla Timmons

Hayley Urban

Ella Whitney