University of Toledo
EASTERN MICHIGAN
Rockets Top Eastern Michigan in Extra Innings, 8-6
4/22/2007 12:00:00 PM | Softball
April 22, 2007
Final Stats
Ypsilanti, Mich. - Toledo (8-28, 3-11 MAC) softball handed Eastern Michigan (17-17, 7-3 MAC) their third Mid-American Conference loss of the season beating them 8-6 this afternoon. It was Toledo's first win against EMU since 2004. The games went into extra innings after EMU scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game.
Senior Leslie Stong got the Rockets on the scoreboard in the first inning hitting her fifth homer of the season. Toledo's defense went three up three down in the first inning to keep the lead.
After two innings of stellar defense by both teams, Eastern Michigan finally made their mark on the scoreboard scoring one run. UT's infield got their first out of the inning catching an Eagle player in a rundown between first and second base. With more than one scoring opportunity, the Rockets were able to hold EMU to just that one in the bottom of the fourth inning.
In the top of the sixth the Rockets took the lead again when sophomore Alison Hess hit another Toledo homerun. This is also Hess's fifth homer of the season.
In the top of the seventh inning, yet another Rocket hit a homerun. Sophomore Andrea Wabol slammed her first homer in her career to put increase Toledo's lead. Wabol then made an astounding catch in the outfield giving the Rockets two outs to keep the Eagles from scoring. However, the next batter for Eastern stepped to the plate and hit a double to tie the game at three sending the game to extra innings.
After a scoreless eighth inning by both teams, Kate Ricchio hit a singles sending Mica Sanchez home to score for the Rockets and Brie Ford singled sent Ricchio home to record another run. Hess then stepped up to the plate and hammered out a three run homer with her second homerun of the game.
EMU quickly fought back when their first batter of the inning hit a homerun. Eastern then scored again off of a double to decrease the Rockets lead to only three. After another run by EMU Toledo was able to get an easy out and secure the win.
Senior Stephanie Moore pitched all nine innings for Toledo. Moore recorded five strikeouts. Besides the four homeruns, Wabol and Ricchio each recorded a double. The Rocket finished with eight hits.
The Midnight Blue and Gold will play again Thursday, April 26 when they host Cleveland State in a non-conference doubleheader at Scott Park. Action will begin at 3 PM.
