YPSILANTI, Mich. – Sophomore pitcher
Heather Webb struck out a season-high seven batters in her second-straight two-hit shutout while helping Toledo softball (19-25, 7-5 MAC) complete the season sweep over Eastern Michigan (14-23, 2-10 MAC). UT blanked the Eagles, 4-0, on Wednesday afternoon at Varsity Field in Ypsilanti, Mich. Â
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For Webb (9-8), the two-hitter marks her third shutout of the season and the fourth of her career. The Madisonville, KY native walked four Eagles in her sixth complete game of the year.
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Eight Rockets contributed to Toledo's 10 total hits, including two-hit efforts from junior OF
Ashley Rausch (2-for-4, run) and junior 1B
Samantha Showalter (2-for-3).
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The Eagles managed to connect on a single hit in the second and third frames but the Rocket defense never allowed their opponents to reach third base in the contest. Â
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Senior 2B
Chandler Rice put Toledo on the board first with a lead-off blast to left center in the top of the third. Junior OF
Kylie Gross followed suit in the next inning, connecting for another lead-off homer to center off the first pitch. Gross' home run marked her first of the season and it gave UT a 2-0 edge.
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Consecutive singles by Rausch and Showalter to open the fifth brought in EMU reliever Abbie Minsker to replace Trisha Trujillo (8-13). Senior OF
Celeste Fidge reached on a fielder's choice when Minsker made a play to get Rausch out at third. Freshman DP
Samantha Golden then connected for a single to right, and both Golden and Fidge advanced when the Eagles threw Showalter out at home. Fidge boosted Toledo's advantage to 3-0 by scoring on a passed ball.
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With one final opportunity at the plate in the seventh, Rausch led off with a single up the middle. She advanced to third off a sacrifice bunt executed by Showalter and a single to center by Fidge, and was able to plate Toledo's final run off a wild pitch by Minkser. Â
The Midnight Blue & Gold return to Scott Park this weekend to host Central Michigan in a MAC West Division series.Â
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