Rockets’ Run in the MAC Tournament Comes to An End in 9-7 Loss to Ball State

Friday, May 10

Akron, Ohio

3:30 p.m.

University of Toledo

26-23

No. 6 Ball State

28-28

Ball State

Toledo

The Toledo softball team ended its season on Friday night after falling to the Cardinals in the MAC Tournament at Firestone Stadium.

Photo by: Bree Bee

Rockets’ Run in the MAC Tournament Comes to An End in 9-7 Loss to Ball State

5/10/2024 8:29:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Toledo finishes the season with a 26-23 record following its first appearance in the postseason since 2019

AKRON, Ohio – The Toledo softball team almost pulled off a come-from-behind win but fell 9-7 to Ball State in the win-or-go-home third round of action at the 2024 Mid-American Conference Tournament on Friday evening at Firestone Stadium. After trailing by eight runs, the No. 4 seed Rockets (26-23) rallied to score six runs in the final two frames but could not complete the comeback.

"I could not be more proud of what this team has accomplished," Head Coach Jessica Bracamonte said following the game. "Our seniors will really be missed. The mountains they have moved to set this program up for future success is remarkable and I am so honored to be called coach by them. Yes, we improved and increased success on the field this season, but the things they have accomplished from the inside out are what I'm most proud of. They have defined what it means to love and play for one another above all else. The culture and foundation of our program have been set and will continue to take us to new heights because of them. The future of Toledo softball continues to be extremely bright."

Ball State established a 3-0 lead in the third inning off of two home runs before senior Lauren Erickson got Toledo on the board in the fourth with a solo homer of her own. BSU scored six more runs in the fifth and sixth to take a 9-1 lead. With just six outs left, the Rockets started to chip away, scoring two runs in the sixth and four more in the seventh to make it 9-7. Toledo got the tying run to the plate but the rally ended with a fielder's choice and a line drive to second base to end UT's season.

No. 6 seed Ball State (28-28) advances to Game 9 vs. No. 2 seed Ohio on Friday evening for a chance to face No. 1 seed Miami tomorrow.

Junior Sophia Knight (15-12) started and took the loss, giving up three runs on seven hits. Freshman Mady Yackee came into the circle in the third and gave up six runs on four hits before Knight re-entered in the sixth.

Junior Eli Enriquez led the offense on Friday with three hits, while Erickson and senior Madison Mikulski each drove in two runs. Erickson's homer was the 15^th of her career, tying her with No. 10 Aubrey Reed (2019-23) on Toledo's all-time top 10 list.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Ball State 9, Toledo 7

McKayla Timmons blasted a two-run homer to center field and McKenna Mulholland followed with a solo homer to left field to give Ball State a 3-0 lead in the third.
Lauren Erickson cracked a solo homer in the fourth to get Toledo on the board.
Jessica Hoffman hit a two-run single to push the Cardinals ahead 6-1 in the fifth.
BSU plated three more runs in the six, including Timmons' second homer of the game.
Madison Mikulski and Emily Bracamonte hit back-to-back RBI doubles in the sixth to chip away at the deficit, 9-3.
Toledo loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh. Sidney Griffith scored on a sacrifice fly and three more Rockets crossed home before a fielder's choice and line drive to second base ended the game.