Softball Drops MAC Opener to Akron

Friday, March 13

Muncie, IN

3 p.m.

Ball State University

11-8, 0-1

Akron

9-16, 1-0

Akron

Ball State

March 13, 2026 | Softball

Box Score Box Score: Ball State 6 - Akron 18

MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State softball team opened Mid-American Conference play with an 18-6 setback to Akron on a blustery Friday afternoon at the Ball State Softball Stadium.

While the Zips (9-16; 1-0 MAC) jumped out to an early 5-0 lead, the Cardinals (11-8; 0-1 MAC) managed to battle back and tie the score at 6-6 after three innings.

The big plays in the rally came in the bottom of the third when junior shortstop Maia Pietrzak drove in two with a double to left-center field. Redshirt junior catcher Skylinn Pogue followed with an RBI single to left, tying the score.

Unfortunately, Akron countered with five in the top of the fourth and never looked back.

Despite the loss, Pietrzak had a strong day for the home team, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Freshman center fielder Paige Kelley also logged a pair of hits, while five other Ball State players collected one on the day.

The Cardinals will look to avenge today's setback Saturday afternoon with a 1 p.m. doubleheader with the Zips back at the Ball State softball stadium.

SCORING SUMMARY: Ball State 6 - Akron 18
T1 - Akron's Sophia Wygast opened the scoring with a three-run homer to center field (3-0)
T1 - Sydney Selker drove in two more with a single to left (5-0)
B1 - Senior pitcher / designated player Ella Whitney got Ball State on the board with an RBI single to center (5-1)
B1 - Senior left fielder Ashlee Lovett cut the Akron lead to three with a sac fly to center (5-2)
B2 - Pietrzak picked up her first RBI of the game on an RBI single up the middle (5-3)
T3 - Meagan Lee pushed Akron back ahead by three with an RBI single to right center (6-3)
B3 - Pietrzak drove in two more with a single to left center (6-5)
B3 - Pogue tied the score with an RBI single to left (6-6)
T4 - Akron regained the lead on a Selker RBI fielder's choice, with Ball State getting the runner out at third (7-6)
T4 - A pinch hit grand slam from Kenzie Gatti pushed the Zips back ahead by five (11-6)
T5 - Wygast collected her fourth RBI of the game with an RBI double to center (12-6)
T7 - A two-run double from Haley Glass extended the lead to eight (14-6)
T7 - Selker upped her RBI total to five with a two-run blast to deep left field (16-6)
T7 - Delaney Jenkinson followed with a solo blast to right (17-6)
T7 - Lily Sullivan capped the scoring with a sac fly to left field (18-6)

Softball Set To Host Akron Friday & Saturday

Thursday, March 12

Whitney Named D1Softball Mid-Major Player of the Week

Tuesday, March 10

Ella Whitney pitching versus Illinois at the Cardinal Classic hosted by Louisville

Softball Closes Cardinal Classic with Pair of Sunday Wins

Sunday, March 08

Maia Pietrzak cheering an out in Saturday's game vs. Louisville

Softball Falls to Louisville in Rain-shortened Outing

Saturday, March 07

Next Event

Akron

Mar 14 (Sat)

1 p.m.

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Full Schedule

Team Stats

Pitching:

W: Walters, Macy (6-7)

L: Kita, Brinkley (3-1)

Akron

Batting:

2B: Wygast, Sophia 1 ; Sullivan, Lily 1 ; Glass, Haley 1

HR: Wygast, Sophia 1 ; Selker, Sydney 1 ; Jenkinson, Delaney 1 ; Gatti, Kenzie 1

RBI: Wygast, Sophia 4 ; Sullivan, Lily 1 ; Lee, Meagan 1 ; Selker, Sydney 5 ; Glass, Haley 2 ; Jenkinson, Delaney 1 ; Gatti, Kenzie 4

SF: Sullivan, Lily 1

Base Running:

RUNS: Sivek, Brooke 3 ; Wygast, Sophia 1 ; Sullivan, Lily 3 ; Lee, Meagan 1 ; Cantrell, Katie 1 ; Selker, Sydney 2 ; Glass, Haley 1 ; Jenkinson, Delaney 3 ; Day, Andrea 1 ; Gatti, Kenzie 1 ; Lehnherr, Samantha 1