Exciting softball matchups and developments from all around the Mid-American Conference took place last week, including upsets and career milestones for the athletes.
Ohio vs. Kent State (4/18)
Ohio continued its five-game winning streak, sweeping Kent State on the road Saturday.
The Bobcats finished out their series against the Golden Flashes with a 9-6 victory. The offensive success was driven by the work of Rylee McDaniel, who went 3-for-3 with a home run, triple, two RBI’s and two runs scored.
Kent State struggled early in the game to hold off Ohio. Colleen Bare added fuel to the fire when she hit a home run to left field in inning two, her 12th of the season. The scoring was followed up by a McDaniel two-RBI triple, securing a 6-0 lead in the third inning.
The Golden Flashes scrapped their way back into the game, scoring three runs in the bottom of the third inning. The runs were scored capitalizing on two Bobcat errors.
With the Golden Flashes cutting Ohio’s lead in half by the end of the third, Keegan Moore was sent in to replace Skipp Miller in the circle. Miller gave up six runs on six hits without a strikeout and allowed three walks. Moore claimed her eighth win of the season.
The Bobcats will return to action against Akron on Friday, April 24 at home in Athens, Ohio to defend their hot streak.
Miami (OH) vs. Ball State (4/17)
Ball State pulled through to split the day in Friday’s doubleheader with a 10-1 victory over Miami (OH) in the second game. Ranked last in the current conference standings, the Cardinals accomplished an impressive upset to counter Miami (OH) in the series but ultimately dropped the weekend series 2-1.
From the circle, the RedHawks statistically have the best pitching staff in the MAC, but were led to defeat by Angelina Ricciardi’s rocky pitching performance. The junior gave up eight runs from five hits and five base on balls.
Ball State’s scoring soared in the fourth inning, growing its lead by eight runs.
Addison Zimpleman, a sophomore Indiana native, cranked out a double against Miami at the plate, and tallied three RBIs for the Cardinals. Zimpleman opened up the scoring with her double in the second inning, making way for more Ball State success.
Senior first baseman Lindsey DeRoeck collected three RBI’s, two hits and a double during the matchup.
The RedHawks were unable to recover and walked away on Friday with a six-inning loss. Miami came back to claim its 2-1 series win on Saturday against the Cardinals.
Ball State will take on Kent State at home in Muncie, Ind. on Friday, April 24.
Additional MAC News
Northern Illinois broke two school records in their Tuesday, April 14, non-conference doubleheader against Bradley. The Huskies scored 21 runs in their second game against the Braves, breaking their school record for most runs in a single game.
The Mid-American Conference attributed their Softball Player of the Week to Northern Illinois’ Rylie Hartman. The senior catcher and Illinois native has collected 109 putouts and 22 assists this season. Hartman has been integral to her team’s success with an on-base percentage of .486.
Mackenzie Langan was named the conference’s Softball Pitcher of the Week. The Central Michigan senior helped the Chippewas earn a No. 2 spot in the MAC pitching ranks, just behind Miami.
Meghan Barrows can be reached at [email protected].
