Sunday’s Softball Results
Akron 12, Buffalo 4
Central Michigan 3, UMass 2
Miami 11, Toledo 0
Northern Illinois 10, Kent State 4
Ohio 9, Bowling Green 1 (6 inn.)
Western Michigan 13, Ball State 3 (5 inn.)
Recaps courtesy of MAC Athletic Communications Departments
Akron 12, Buffalo 4
Box Score
AKRON, Ohio --Akron got contributions from every part of their lineup, as all nine starters reached base safely and six multi-hit performances to unleash 16 hits and 12 runs in a 12-4 win, completing a 3-0 series sweep of the Buffalo Bulls Sunday.
Haley Glass was perfect 3-for-3 in the batter's box with a homerun, a double, two RBI and three runs scored. Five additional players recorded two hits each as Katie Cantrell, Lily Sullivan and Kenzie Gatti went 2-for-3 from the plate, while Meagan Lee and Sophia Wygast went 2-for-4. Cantrell hit a three-run homerun and Delaney Jenkinson recorded a two-run bomb, while Lee registered the Zips second double of the day.
Macy Walters (13-9) started in the circle and picked up the win for Akron (23-19, 15-3). The right-hander went five innings, giving up four runs, all of them earned, on six hits, allowing four walks and striking out three.
Trailing 3-0, the Zips first put runs on the board in the first inning. Akron got an RBI single from Lily Sullivan, scoring Kenzie Gatti from second base.
The Zips kept the Bulls off the board before taking the lead in the second. The Akron offense exploded for six runs, highlighted by a three-run home run off the bat of Katie Cantrell and a two-run single from Gatti, which brought the score to 7-3 in favor of the Zips.
Akron kept Buffalo without a run before expanding their lead to 8-3 the following inning.
The Bulls gained ground, closing the gap to 8-4 until Akron added some insurance in the fifth. The Zips scored four runs in the inning, highlighted by a two-run home run off the bat of Delaney Jenkinson, bringing the score to 12-4 in favor of Akron. The score remained 12-4 for the rest of the game, as the Zips coasted to the win.
Haley Glass compiled three base knocks in the game for Akron. The Zips power output was led by Haley Glass, who had two extra base hits in the ballgame.
Every Akron starter reached base safely in the win. Akron's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed six runs across.
The Zips had control of the rest of the game after moving ahead of the Bulls 7-3 in the bottom of the second.
Six Zips had multiple hits in the ballgame. Akron hitters hit three dingers in the ballgame.
The Zips had a total of 16 hits and out-hit the Bulls at a 16-6 clip. Akron went 8-for-10 (.800) with runners in scoring position.
Akron pitchers faced 23 Buffalo hitters in the game, allowing three ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out three.
Haley Glass led the Zips at the plate, going 3 for 3 with a double, a home run and two RBIs.
The Zips are scheduled to be back at Lee R. Jackson Field on Tuesday, April 14 against Robert Morris for a doubleheader at 2 and 4 p.m.
Central Michigan 3, UMass 2
Box Score
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Chippewas had no quit in the series finale with UMass on Sunday afternoon and used an explosive sixth inning to secure the win in the sixth inning.
Central Michigan entered the sixth inning with no hits, but that changed quickly. Angela Petrovitch broke the no-hitter with a first pitch single up the middle. Emma Lotus then recorded an infield single, shifting Petrovitch to second base, and Jenna Kuzara took the chance and ran to put Central Michigan in front.
The sophomore hit her 7th home run of the season, deep over the center field wall and plated three runs to push CMU ahead.
UMass scored in the first inning via a sacrifice fly to centerfield and again in the fourth inning with an RBI single through the right side.
The full team effort victory showed on all ends of the game for the Chippewas, including the circle.
Brooklyn Compau, who grabbed the victory in the second game on Saturday, started for Central Michigan and threw 3.1 innings, issuing the two runs UMass scored. Compau struck out one batter and issued five ground balls for her defense.
Mackenzie Langan, who took the loss in the first game of the series entered in relief and closed the door throwing 3.2 scoreless innings for the Chippewas. Langan faced the final 15 batters with just two hits allowed and three strikeouts.
Central Michigan left just two runners on base: Ella Luegge who entered to run for Alexa Carter after a walk, and Tori Briggs, who also drew a walk.
After the victory, the Chippewas advance to 20-16 on the season, 11-6 in the conference and UMass moes to 14-24 overall and 6-12 in the first year in the MAC.
Next, CMU will welcome Michigan to Margo Jonker Stadium for the first time since 2019. That game is slated for Tuesday, April 14th at 4 p.m.
Miami 11, Toledo 0
Box Score
TOLEDO, Ohio – The Miami University softball team swept its weekend series against Toledo, finishing it out with an 11-0 shutout Sunday afternoon. The RedHawks improve to 30-12 (12-6 MAC), while the Rockets fall to 12-28 (8-10 MAC) on the year.
Getting on the board and taking the lead 4-0 in the top of the first inning, Danitza Hernandez singled and allowed Bailey Manos to score from second base. Evey Dieudonne then singled and allowed Hernandez to score a run of her own. Katy Olive then brought in Miami's third and fourth runs, hitting a two-run homer to bring home Diedonne as well.
Continuing Miami's lead in the top of the fifth to 6-0, Mckenna Campbell homered to left field, and Hernandez scored with her.
In the seventh inning, Erin Pinter doubled and Olive scored. Madie Patton then reached first on a fielding error, and Pinter scored, unearned. Manos doubled and allowed Patton and Ella Carter to both score, unearned. Mia Estrello then singled, scoring Manos from second, to give Miami an 11-0 lead.
Presley Hosick pitched a complete shutout, allowing no runs, only five hits and two walks while striking out four.
Bailey Manos went 3-for-5 at the plate with two runs and was credited with two RBI.
Mckenna Campbell went 2-for-4 at the plate with a home run and was credited with two RBI.
Katy Olive went 4-for-4 at the plate with two runs, one being her 14th home run of the season, and was credited with two RBI.
The RedHawks head to Highland Heights, Ky. on Tuesday, April 14, to take on Northern Kentucky University for their second matchup of the season.
Northern Illinois 10, Kent State 4
Box Score
DeKALB, Ill. – Winning their sixth straight game, the Northern Illinois University Huskies softball team posted a 10-4 victory over the Kent State University Golden Flashes to sweep the series. With the win, the Huskies improve to 18-11 on the season and 12-5 in the MAC standings.
The last time the NIU softball team won six games in a row was in 2017 between April 22 and May 2. NIU last swept Kent State in a single season in 1999, winning both regular-season games and defeating the Golden Flashes again in the conference tournament.
Izzi Hanna (Granger, Ind./Penn) went 3-of-4 at the plate, scored twice, and drove in three runs. Mia Morera (Simi Valley, Calif./Westlake) was 2-of-3 at the plate, scored once, and drove in three runs.
Kent State (17-22, 7-11 MAC) led the first inning off with a single to center field. The Golden Flashes loaded the bases after a pair of walks before Lily Cassell (La Grange, Ohio/Keystone) struck out the final two batters.
Jenna Turner (Marengo, Ill./Marengo) singled to left field to start the bottom half of the inning before Hanna recorded her first base hit. NIU loaded the bases as Danielle Stewart (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) walked before a walk issued to Kayla Estrada (Riverside, Calif./Martin Luther King) scored Turner. Morera hit a sacrifice flyout to right field to score Hanna while Stewart scored on a fielder's choice for NIU's third run of the inning.
A defensive error by the Huskies allowed the first batter from Kent State to reach base. Kent State scored their first run of the game on an RBI single to center field before Cassell collected her fourth strikeout of the game.
Katy Ramage (Germantown Hills, Ill./Metamora Township) doubled to center field to lead off the second inning for NIU. A defensive error put Lia Nance (Oceanside, Calif./Oceanside) on base before a Hanna triple sent both runners home. Estrada doubled down the right field line to score Hanna before being brought home on a Morera double to left field.
The Huskies went 1-2-3 against Kent State in the top of the third inning before NIU opened the bottom frame with back-to-back hits. A Hanna base hit to left field scored the eighth run of the game for NIU.
Kent State hit the lone home run in the game in the fourth inning, a solo shot before scored on an RBI triple late in the inning.
Back-to-back base hits by the Huskies to start the fourth inning saw Mallory Wollenman (Evansville, Ind./Reitz Memorial) score the ninth run of the game. A Rylie Hartman (Kankakee, Ill./Herscher) double sent Morera across the plate for the final NIU run.
Kent State added their final run in the sixth inning, scoring on an RBI single.
The Huskies will conclude their eight-game home stand with a non-conference doubleheader against the Braves of Bradley University. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. on April 14.
Ohio 9, Bowling Green 1 (6 inn.)
Box Score
ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio softball team (28-15, 11-7 MAC) wrapped up the three-game series with Bowling Green (17-22, 5-13 MAC) Sunday afternoon (April 12), defeating the Falcons, 9-1 in six innings at the Ohio Softball Field, earning the series win.
Overall, Ohio score nine runs on 13 hits and did not commit an error, while Bowling Green scored one run on three hits and committed two errors.
At the plate, senior Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) went 3-for-4 with a double, home run, one run scored and five RBI. The day capped a 19-RBI week for Westler at the plate. Sophomore Sydney Young (Charleston, W. Va.) went 2-for-2 with a home run and two RBI, while senior Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) went 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and two runs scored, while senior Colleen Bare (Pickerington, Ohio) added two hits, an RBI and two runs scored. Junior Izzie Wilson (Delaware, Ohio) added two hits and scored a run, while junior Kylie Gorsuch (North Canton, Ohio) and sophomore Alexis Book (Chillicothe, Ohio) also added a hit.
In the circle, graduate student Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) got the start and earned her 15th win of the season, pitching six innings, allowing one run on three hits, walked two and struck out seven.
Ohio threatened in the bottom of the first inning, putting runners on first and third after a single off the wall by Westler put Farmer on third. However, the BGSU defense was able to get the final batter of the inning to ground out, ending the threat and sending the game to the second still scoreless.
Bowling Green took the lead in the top of the second on an RBI double, however the Bobcats matched it in the bottom of the inning when Young hit a leadoff home run to right center, trying the game at 1-1 going into the third inning.
Bowling Green threatened in the top of the third, loading the bases with two outs. However, Miller was able to get the final batter of the inning to lineout to her, ending the threat and sending the game to the bottom of the inning tied at 1-1.
The Bobcats took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. After Wilson led the inning off with a single and then moved to second on a fielding error by the right fielder, an RBI single from Young gave Ohio a 2-1 lead going into the fifth inning.
Ohio added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Westler crushed a three-RBI double to right center, clearing the bases and putting Ohio up 5-1. Ohio would try to add on more, loading the bases for the second time with one out. However, the Falcons were able to get the last two batters out, sending the game to the sixth with Ohio leading, 5-1.
After a quick top of the sixth, Ohio put the exclamation point on the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. After Book reached, she scored on an RBI double from Hummel. Moments later, Hummel scored when Bare reached on an infield single. Then with one out and a runner on, Wrestler came to the plate and ended the game on the first pitch of her at bat, crushing a home run to left field, securing the 9-1 victory.
The Bobcats are back in Athens on Wednesday, April 15 when Ohio hosts Marshall. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m. ET at the Ohio Softball Field and can be seen on ESPN+.
Western Michigan 13, Ball State 3 (5 inn.)
Box Score
MUNCIE, Ind. – In the Western Michigan softball team's return to the Ball State Softball Stadium after four years away, the Broncos won all three games over the Ball State Cardinals. WMU exploded on offense in the final game of the series with four home runs in the 13-3 victory to sweep the Cardinals.
Senior catcher Tristen Head had her best series at the plate so far this season. Head went four of seven from the batters box for an average of .571 while setting a new career high with two home runs on Sunday. Four other Broncos were .500 or better at the plate including infielders Caitlin Tighe and Bella Duncan along with outfielder Megan Malartsik and Jadeyn Merrill. Tighe had the most hits of any WMU batter with five in nine at bats while also scoring a team-high five runs.
In the circle, freshman Ava Geyer only barely led freshman Hannah Potts in two appearances on the weekend. Geyer spent 8.0 innings pitching for a 1-0 record, a 1.75 ERA with nine hits, two earned runs, three walks, and four strikeouts. The freshman also pitched her eighth complete game of the season on Saturday afternoon. Potts spent more time in the circle for the Brown and Gold with 11.0 innings pitched, allowing 11 hits, three earned runs, and four walks, while striking out 13 batters. Potts ended the series with a 2-0 record in two games started and a 1.92 ERA.
The Brown and Gold continued their offensive onslaught in the third and final game of the weekend on Sunday afternoon. Western Michigan got out to an early lead as Tighe had her second home run in as many days for a 1-0 advantage. The Broncos were then able to add another run in the second as center fielder Emily Lampela was hit by a pitch to begin the inning. Lampela then scored a run as third baseman Hannah Herman put a double into right center.
WMU continued to add on the runs in the third inning as its first two batters reached base. The Brown and Gold's next two batters went down in order, but Western Michigan was able to put together a two-out rally. The Broncos next three hitters all reached base, scoring two more runs for a 4-0 advantage.
Ball State cut WMU's lead in half in the bottom half of the inning. The Cardinals had three hits with one that went into deep left field, allowing two runners to score. The Brown and Gold were able to answer right back in the top of the fourth with their biggest offensive inning of the weekend. Western Michigan scored seven runs on six hits as the team sent 10 batters to the plate.
Duncan and Jordan Smith put singles into the field while outfielders Rylee O'Brien and Lampela had back-to-back doubles for one of the runs. But it was home runs from Head and Merrill that put the Broncos well ahead of Ball State. Both homers scored three runs each, giving WMU a commanding 11-2 lead midway through the fourth inning. Potts added her career 99th and 100th strikeouts in the bottom of the sixth to put the Brown and Gold in position for a run-rule victory.
Western Michigan wasn't quite done scoring yet as Jordan Smith led off the fifth with a double. Pinch runner Corinne Martz was brought home shortly after as Head hit her second home run of the game past the center field fence for a 13-2 score. The Broncos added one more hit in the fifth on a double from Lampela but didn't bring a 14th run across home plate.
The Cardinals were able to score another run in the bottom of the fifth with a single, a double, and a fielder's choice. But Ball State wasn't able to score any other runs as WMU took the 13-3 mercy rule win to sweep the series. This weekend's sweep was the first MAC sweep for the Brown and Gold since April 30, 2024, and the first three game conference sweep since April 13 and 14 of 2024.
Improving to a 21-19 overall record and a 10-8 MAC record, Western Michigan sits sixth in the conference. The Broncos are scheduled for a midweek game on the road at Valparaiso on Wednesday evening. Weather permitting, WMU will take on the Beacons at 5:00 p.m. EST on April 15 at Valpo Softball Complex.
