East Lansing, Mich. – Toledo softball (20-28, 8-7 MAC) scored six runs in the third and fourth frames but it wasn't enough on Wednesday afternoon as Michigan State (22-17, 5-8 B1G) defeated the Rockets, 13-7, at Secchia Stadium in East Lansing, Mich.
 
Toledo's offense was powered by senior second baseman Chandler Rice (2-for-4, 2B, HR, three RBI, two runs), senior catcher Ashley Maynard (2-for-3, 2B, two runs), and sophomore shortstop Megan Choate (2-for-3, two runs, RBI).
 
All four Rocket pitchers saw action in the contest. Freshman starter Leah Allison (0-3) registered the loss after allowing seven runs on five hits and two walks in 1.2 innings. Freshman Alissa Noble permitted three runs on five hits and struck out two in 1.1 innings of relief work. Sophomore Heather Webb entered the game in the fifth and gave up two runs on three hits and a free base, while retiring two batters in two frames. Sophomore Kailey Minarchick allowed a run on a pair of hits in the seventh.
 
MSU was the first to score when a sacrifice fly allowed a run in the opening frame. The Spartans then loaded the bases right off the bat in the second inning via two singles and a hit batter. After UT recorded two quick outs,  Long launched a three-run triple to clear the bases and Baccay followed with shot to left to score two more. A free base and hit batter put two Spartans aboard, and a RBI single to right field allowed MSU to close out the inning with a 7-0 advantage.
 
Maynard gave UT its first scoring opportunity with a lead-off double in the third, and Choate's single up the middle permitted Maynard to plate Toledo's first tally. Junior Marriah Wise reached on a bunt to put a second Rocket on, and Rice lined a two-run double to left to cut MSU lead to 7-3.
 
The Spartans answered back with three runs scored of their own in the bottom of the inning.
 
Trailing 10-3, Toledo continued its rally into the fourth with a run scored on a MSU error and two plated off Rice's two-out home run past the left-field fence.
 
Michigan State's offense continued to strike and added three to its scoreboard total by the end of the sixth.
 
Facing one final offensive chance in the seventh, a fielder's choice and a double by junior Samantha Showalter put two Rockets in scoring position. A sacrifice fly by freshman Samantha Golden scored junior Kylie Gross to make it 13-7, but that was as close as Toledo could get as a grounder to third ended any late comeback hopes.