Softball Drops Extra-Inning Thriller at Central Michigan

Friday, March 20

Mount Pleasant, MI

3 p.m.

Ball State University

11-11, 0-4

Central Michigan

12-11, 3-1

Ball State

Central Michigan

Softball Drops Extra-Inning Thriller at Central Michigan

March 20, 2026 | Softball

Box Score Box Score: Ball State 5 - CMU 6 (10)

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - - Down 4-0 with two outs and one runner on base in the top of the seventh, the Ball State softball team rallied to even the score and force extra innings Friday afternoon at Margo Jonker Stadium.

Three innings later, the Cardinals (11-11; 0-4 Mid-American Conference) used two doubles and a sacrifice fly from senior right fielder Hayley Urban to take its first lead of the game at 5-4. Unfortunately, the Chippewas (12-11; 3-1 MAC) countered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame to earn a hard-fought 6-5 (10) victory in its home opener.

Senior left fielder Ashlee Lovett had a hand in both rallies, starting with a bases loaded two-run double in the top of the seventh to drive in BSU's first two runs of the game. She also scored the tying run in the seventh and the eventual go-ahead run after doubling to lead off the 10th.

Lovett reached base in all five of her plate appearances on the day, going 3-for-3 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored. She also drew a pair of walks.

Overall, the Cardinals collected 10 total hits, including two each from Urban and freshman center fielder Paige Kelley. The effort gave Ball State's outfield a combined seven hits.

Ball State's pitching efforts were highlighted by freshman Grace Gray, who threw 6.1 innings of relief. She allowed seven hits and held CMU to a pair of runs, while striking out five batters.

Ball State and Central Michigan conclude their three-game series Saturday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader back at Margo Jonker Softball Stadium.

SCORING SUMMARY: Ball State 5 - Central Michigan 6 in 10 Innings
B3 - Grace Koenig opened the scoring with an RBI double to left center (1-0)
B3 - London Williams drove in two more runs with a single up the middle (3-0)
B3 - Cierra Laska brought home the final run of the inning with another single up the middle (4-0)
T7 - Lovett's bases loaded double cut the CMU advantage to two runs, bringing home junior shortstop Maia Pietrzak and redshirt sophomore pinch runner Payton Fox (4-2)
T7 - A pinch hit single from Meagan Ramos tied the score at senior first baseman Lindsey DeRoeck and Lovett cross the plate (4-4)
T10 - A sac fly from Urban drove in Lovett to give Ball State its first lead of the game (4-5)
B10 - CMU tied the score on an RBI double from Keira Tolmie (5-5)
B10 - Koenig drew a bases loaded walk to end the game (5-6)