MUNCIE, Ind. – Toledo opened its four-game weekend series at second-place Ball State with a 6-4 victory over the Cardinals (25-15, 19-5 MAC).
 
"We beat a really good team today and it shows what we're capable of," Head Coach Joe Abraham said. "We had some key hits up and down the lineup which was great to see."
 
Senior Dayna Denner and junior Aleah Marra tallied three hits apiece to pace the Rockets' 14-hit attack. Sophomore Macey Moore, freshman Lauren Erickson and freshman Jenna Kroll also collected a pair of singles for Toledo (21-17, 11-11 MAC) with Kroll driving in a team-high two runs.
 
"Aleah had a big day with three hits and that really set up Macey and Dayna," Abraham said. "Our 6-7-8 hitters also produced as well with Jenna and Lauren getting two hits each and Aubrey Reed getting on three times and also laying down a nice sacrifice bunt."
 
Senior Erin Hunt improved to 16-11 this season by scattering nine hits and allowing four runs in seven innings.
 
"Erin started off with some walks and hit batters but really settled down later in the game," Abraham said. "She pitched out of some situations like she usually does and our defense played really well."

Toledo took the lead for good with a three-run third inning. Kroll's RBI single to center gave UT a 4-3 lead before Erickson's RBI single to left provided the Rockets a 5-3 advantage.
 
The series continues tomorrow with a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader on ESPN3 at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex. The final game of the weekend will be held on Sunday at 12:00 p.m.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Toledo took an early 2-0 lead in the first when Aleah Marra, Dayna Denner and Macey Moore each singled to load the bases. Marra scored on a bases-loaded walk to Riley Mohr, with Denner coming across on Jenna Kroll's fielder's choice groundout.
• The Cardinals gained their lone lead of the contest with a run in the first and two more in the second. Haley Wynn's and Haley Dominque's RBI doubles in the second accounted for BSU's scoring.
• Marra singled and Denner doubled to open the third with Moore's sacrifice fly bringing Marra home to even the score. Kroll collected another RBI with a single to center, while Lauren Erickson gave Toledo a two-run lead with a single through the left side.
• Denner increased the Rockets' cushion to 6-3 with an RBI single up the middle.
• Ball State scored the game's final run in the sixth, but Hunt retired the side in order in the seventh to secure the victory.