Softball Earns Pair of Friday Walk-Off Wins

Friday, February 27

Bowling Green, KY

11 a.m.

Ball State University

5-4

Illinois

5-10

Illinois

Ball State

February 27, 2026 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 1: Ball State 7 - Illinois 6 Game 2: Ball State 2 - IU Indy 1 (8)

BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky - - The Ball State softball team opened play in the Hilltopper Spring Fling with a pair of walk-off victories Friday afternoon at the WKU Softball Complex.

In the weekend opener, the Cardinals (6-4) used a walk-off wild pitch to rally past Illinois by a final score of 7-6.

In the nightcap, Ball State loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the eighth, setting up an RBI groundout from redshirt junior catcher Skylinn Pogue to earn a 2-1 (8) victory over in-state rival IU Indy.

In the win over the Illini (5-10), led by former Ball State softball head coach Tyra Perry (2014-15), senior first baseman Lindsey DeRoeck and Pogue tallied three RBIs apiece. DeRoeck's biggest hit was a two-run double in the bottom of the third, while Pogue blasted a solo home run in the fourth and tied the game at 6-6 with a one-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh.

Freshman pitcher Grace Gray picked up her second collegiate win in the circle, throwing the final 1.2 innings and limiting Illinois to three hits and a pair of runs.

Senior Ella Whitney started the contest, holding the Illini to seven hits and four runs, only three of which were earned, over her 5.1 innings of work. She also struck out three batters, while going 1-for-2 at the plate with a walk.

In the nightcap, redshirt junior pitcher Bridie Murphy earned her second win of the season by holding the Jaguars (3-9) to five hits and one earned run over 8.0 innings of work. She also struck out a season-high seven batters in the game.

On the offensive front, senior right fielder Ashlee Lovett tied the game with a clutch two-out RBI double in the bottom of the fourth.

The eighth inning saw senior pinch hitter Jessica Hoffman single to left to open the inning, while a bunt single by freshman center fielder Paige Kelley put two in scoring position after some heads up baserunning. After junior shortstop Maia Pietrzak walked to load the bases, Pogue picked up her forth RBI of the day on a groundout to short.

SCORING SUMMARY - GAME 1 (Ball State 7 - Illinois 6)
B1 - DeRoeck opened the scoring with an RBI single down the left field line, driving in Pietrzak (1-0)
B2 - Junior pinch runner Payton Fox scored from third on an Illinois error (2-0)
T3 - Skylar Brennan scored from third on a Ball State error (2-1)
B3 - DeRoeck picked up two more RBIs with a double to left center, bringing home Pogue and sophomore pinch runner Jordyn Thurman (4-1)
T4 - Keirys Click used an RBI fielder's choice to cut BSU's lead back to two (4-2)
T4 - Brennan followed with a sac fly, making it a one-run game (4-3)
B4 - Pogue smashed a two-out, solo bomb to left center (5-3)
T6 - Adisyn Caryl cut the lead back to one with a sac fly right field (5-4)
T6 - Ellie Haggard followed with a two-run home run, giving Illinois it first lead of the game (5-6)
B7 - Pogue tied the game with an RBI single up the middle, bringing home Kelley (6-6)
B7 - Pietrzak scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch (7-6)

SCORING SUMMARY - GAME 2 (Ball State 2 - IU Indy 1)
T1 - Callie Dickerson was hit by a pitch with bases loaded to open the scoring (1-0)
B4 - Lovett smashed an RBI double to left center to drive in DeRoeck and even the score (1-1)
B8 - With no outs and bases loaded, an RBI grounder to short by Pogue ended the game (2-1)

UP NEXT:
The Ball State softball team continues play in the Hilltopper Spring Fling with games versus host Western Kentucky (4p ET / 3p CT) and IU Indy (6:30p ET / 5:30p CT) Saturday evening.