Central Michigan University
Toledo
A Heartbreaker
5/9/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
AKRON, Ohio - A heartbreaker. And very little time to lick their wounds.
Brittney Davis hit a two-run home run in the 10th inning Wednesday as Toledo handed Central Michigan an 8-6 loss in a Mid-American Conference Tournament game at Firestone Stadium.
The loss sends the Chippewas (22-25) to the elimination bracket where they will play Ball State on Thursday at 6 p.m. The Cardinals, the No. 2 seed, were upset by seventh-seeded Northern Illinois, 3-1, on Wednesday.
Ball State (34-18) took two of three from the Chippewas during the regular season.
DRAMA
The Chippewas, the sixth seed, led three times in Wednesday's game, the last at 6-5 when freshman Shaidan Knapp ripped an RBI triple down the right field line in the top of the seventh inning.
Toledo, the third seed, tied it on a one-out RBI single by Bekah Yenrick in the bottom of the seventh.
The Chippewas left the bases loaded in the top of the ninth and stranded the potential go-ahead run at third in the 10th. CMU stranded nine baserunners in the game.
Katie Cozy singled leading off the bottom of the 10th, and Davis drilled a full-count pitch over the fence in left field to win for the Rockets (31-15).
IN THE CIRCLE
Freshman Cloe Mallory (3-3), the third CMU pitcher, took the loss. She came on with one out in the seventh after Toledo had tied the game, 6-6. She pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh.
Toledo's two hits in the 10th were the only hits that Mallory allowed. She struck out one and walked three.
Hanna Warren started for the Chippewas and went 1 1/3 innings. She allowed three runs on five hits and struck out one. Taylor Weaver went five innings in relief of Warren. She allowed three runs on five hits, walked two and struck out one.
Heather Webb (14-8) went the final four innings for the Rockets for the win. She allowed four hits and walked one. Toledo starter Kailey Minarchick surrendered 10 hits, walked one and struck out two over six innings.
AT THE PLATE
Knapp finished with four hits to lead CMU's 14-hit attack. Erika Underwood and Morgan Gardner added two hits apiece.
