University of Toledo
Michigan State
Rockets Outlast Big Ten Foe Michigan State In Mid-Week Matchup
4/8/2015 10:35:00 AM | Softball
Toledo held on for a 5-3 win Wednesday in East Lansing.
EAST LANSING, MI - The Toledo softball team ended its six-game skid, defeating Big Ten foe Michigan State 5-3 on Wednesday.
The Rockets (13-22, 0-6 MAC) were outhit 8-5, but made the most of getting runners on base, leaving just seven on base, compared to the Spartans' 10.
UT struck first in the away half of the first inning, as freshman IF Kaitlyn Bergman put runners on first and second with a single up the middle. A passed ball moved the runners up a base before freshman OF Ashley Rausch put the Rockets up 1-0 on a fielder's choice scoring junior OF Sammy Emery.
Sophomore P Emily Anderson and the Midnight Blue & Gold defense did a good job keeping the Spartan offense at bay. Anderson finished her complete game with eight hits allowed, three runs and four strikeouts.
Toledo scored again in the top of the fifth, as freshman IF Samantha Showalter tallied a two-out, two-RBI single up the middle to increase the Rocket lead. UT struck again in the top of the sixth inning, as graduate transfer Nichole Toven added another two-out two-RBI hit to put the Rockets up 5-0.
The Spartans battled back in the bottom of the final frame, scoring three runs, but Anderson forced a groundout to end the game.
Anderson improved to 6-9 this season, and the Toledo defense committed just one fielding error.
The Rockets resume Mid-American Conference play this weekend with home games against Ball State and Miami. UT will welcome the Cardinals for a doubleheader on Friday with first pitch for game one at 1:00 p.m. Toledo will then take on the RedHawks on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m., respectively.
