Softball Tops Toledo in Series Opener; Second Game Suspended

MUNCIE, Ind. - - Runs were as plenty as the wind was strong Friday afternoon at the Ball State Softball Stadium, as the Ball State softball team opened its home slate with a 13-8 victory over Toledo.

That was just the start, however, as both teams scored 14 runs in the nightcap which was suspended due to darkness entering the top of the eighth inning.

The game will be concluded at 1 p.m. Saturday, with the series finale following about 30 minutes later.

In Friday's opener, the Cardinals (17-7; 3-1 MAC) used a two-run home run from redshirt senior McKayla Timmons in the bottom of the first to counter a three-run opening half of the inning from the Rockets (6-17; 1-3 MAC). That was the only official at bat for the league's home run leader entering the day, however, as Toledo walked her in each of her next eight plate appearances over the course of the day.

The score remained 3-2 until the bottom of the third, when redshirt junior second baseman McKenna Mulholland blasted her first home run of the season to give BSU a 4-2 edge. The Cardinals would then extend the lead to 5-3 in the bottom of the fourth when sophomore shortstop Maia Pietrzak turned in some heads-up base running and stole home on a toss back to the circle.

Toledo answered with a three-run blast in the top of the fifth, reclaiming the lead briefly, while Pietrzak smashed the ball over the fence in left field in the bottom of the frame to make the score 7-6 in favor of the hosts.

The back-and-forth continued in the top of the sixth when the Rockets plated a pair, only to see the Cardinals counter with six runs in the home half. The biggest play in the rally was a three-run blast from senior first baseman Kaitlyn Gibson pushing the score to 12-8.

Junior pitcher Ella Whitney would then cap the scoring with a pop fly that caught the wind and fell between four Toledo fielders for an RBI single. It also helped her secure her MAC-leading 11th pitching victory of the season. Over her 7.0 innings of work, Whitney would hold the potent Rockets offense to 12 hits and eight runs, only three of which were earned. She also struck out three batters.

In the nightcap, which will be resumed Saturday, the Cardinals found themselves trailing 9-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning. That is when BSU found its first chink in Toledo pitcher Kylee Graham's armor with an RBI single from sophomore third baseman Mandy Lauth.

Ball State would then open the floodgates in the bottom of the fifth, needing one run to keep the game alive, it plated 12. Whitney started the scoring with an RBI single to open the scoring and eventually tied the game at 9-9 on an RBI hit by pitch. That set up a grand slam from Mulholland to give Ball State a 13-9 edge.

Unfortunately, Toledo answered with a bases loaded walk and a grand slam of its own to reclaim the lead at 14-13. Thankfully, an errant throw on what could have been an inning-ending double play allowed the tying run to score in the bottom of the sixth.

After a scoreless seventh, cue sunset and the suspension of the remainder of the game until Saturday.

Softball Tops Toledo in Series Opener; Second Game Suspended

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Team Stats

McKenna Mulholland

Maia Pietrzak

Ella Whitney

McKayla Timmons

Players Mentioned

Kaitlyn Gibson

Mandy Lauth

McKenna Mulholland

Maia Pietrzak

McKayla Timmons

Ella Whitney