Clearwater, FL - In its final contest of the USF Under Armour Invitational, the Toledo softball team put on an offensive clinic, posting 15 hits en route to an 8-0 win over Bethune-Cookman in sixth innings. It was the second day in a row that UT defeated an opponent in six innings via the eight-run rule.

The Rockets (4-10, 0-0 MAC) shook off the cobwebs from a three-up, three-down first inning and managed to produce runs in each inning for the remainder of the game to pull off the convincing win.

Lindsey Tobias got things started with an inning-opening single, followed by a double by Jillian Spink and a base-hit by Leigh Nebendahl. A play after Tobias was thrown out, Morgan Smith connected with an RBI-double, scoring Spink for the 1-0 UT lead. The play gave Smith her seventh RBI of the season, tied for second-best on the team.

In the second inning, Alyssa Smith led off with a base-hit and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Kristen Roznoski. Lani Ernst also reached first base safely, with Smith advancing to third. The next batter, Tobias, connected with her team-leading 10th RBI, scoring Smith and advancing to second base on the throw. Spink recorded her seventh RBI of the season with an RBI-single that scored Ernst.

Toledo quickly loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Morgan Smith singled, Allissa Turkovich was hit by a pitch and Brooke Gates connected with a single. Another sacrifice bunt by Roznoski scored Smith. The ensuing double by Ernst scored Turkovich and Gates.

An RBI-single by Turkovich scored Spink in the fifth inning, after Spink was hit by a pitch and later advanced to third base on a double by Morgan Smith.

Nebendahl tallied the knockout punch, banging a single with the bases loaded to score Ernst and end the game at 8-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Freshman Alli Beery (2-3; 3.95 ERA) is credited with the win, pitching the complete six innings while only allowing six hits and recording five strikeouts.

The Rockets will remain in Clearwater, FL through March 11, as they will play five games in the Under Armour Showcase next weekend. The team will also play a double-header against South Dakota State on Tuesday, March 6, that is not a part of either tournament hosted by USF.

Contact: Brad Pettiford
E-Mail: brad.pettiford@utoledo.edu