Noble Helps Softball Storm Past KSU in Series Opener

Friday, April 24

Muncie, IN

2 p.m.

Ball State University

18-25, 5-17

Kent State

19-26, 19-26

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Kent State	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	3	7	0
Ball State	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	1	4	10	0

Ball State softball's Allee Noble in her white pinstripe uniform waiting for a pitch in the April 12, 2026 game versus Western Michigan

Noble Helps Softball Storm Past KSU in Series Opener

April 24, 2026 | Softball

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State softball team opened senior weekend with a thrilling 4-3 (8) victory over Kent State Friday afternoon at the Ball State Softball Stadium courtesy of a bases-loaded, walk-off single from redshirt sophomore catcher Allee Noble.

To get there, Cardinals (18-25; 5-17 Mid-American Conference) rallied from two runs down after the top of the first, survived a one hour and 37-minute rain delay and beat yet another incoming storm.

Battling to stay alive in the hunt for a MAC Championship berth, the Golden Flashes (19-26; 7-15 MAC) jumped out to an early 2-0 edge thanks to an RBI single through the left side from Ashlyn Porter.

However, designated player Ella Whitney was not going to let the guests spoil her senior weekend, blasting her 12th and 13th home runs of the season in the bottom of the first and third innings, respectively, to even the score.

The Cardinals would then take the lead in the bottom of the fourth courtesy of a one-out triple from Noble and an RBI single from senior left fielder Ashlee Lovett. It was Noble's first career triple and the team's 11 of the season.

Unfortunately, KSU's Caleigh Shaulis smashed a sac fly to right field in the top of the fifth to even the score.

Following the rain delay after the bottom of the sixth and a scoreless seventh, redshirt junior third baseman Skylinn Pogue opened the bottom of the eighth with a single to center. Two batters later, freshman second baseman Ayvah Cullen singled to center field and was followed by a walk to redshirt senior Hayley Urban to load the bases.

Cue the heroics from Noble who smashed the first pitch she saw into left center to give the Cardinals the walk-off win.

Earning the win in the circle for Ball State was junior reliever Brinkley Kita, who entered after the rain delay and limited Kent State to a pair of hits and a walk over the final two innings. Her biggest pitch came in the top of the eighth, when she forced a grounder to short for an inning-ending double play.

Ball State and Kent State return to action Saturday afternoon with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at the Ball State Softball Stadium. After the conclusion of the twinbill, the Cardinals will honor its six-member senior class: Jessica Hoffman, Lovett, Grace Spencer, Lindsey DeRoeck, Whitney and Urban.