The Toledo softball team faced a tough start at the Liberty Softball Classic in Lynchburg, Virginia, losing both of their initial games. They fell 5-3 to Syracuse and later lost to Liberty with a score of 7-2.
In the game against Syracuse, redshirt freshman Reese Poston made her third start of the season. She did well, pitching four innings and striking out five batters—her best performance yet. Freshman Jenna Gober marked her presence in the game too, getting her first collegiate RBI with a single in the fifth inning.
Moving on to the game against Liberty, Payton Abiley shined with a career-best two RBIs from a single in the sixth inning. Katie McDonald started as the pitcher, going three innings and striking out two. Lexi Johnson also contributed in relief, pitching one inning with no runs allowed.
Toledo looks to bounce back in their next games against Maryland and Syracuse on February 21. The first game against Maryland will kick off at 10:00 a.m., followed by another match against Syracuse at 2:30 p.m.
Game Highlights
Pitching Insights:
- Reese Poston (vs. Syracuse): 4.0 IP, 3 R, 5 K (Career-high in strikeouts)
- Mady Yackee (vs. Syracuse): 2.0 IP, 2 R
- Katie McDonald (vs. Liberty): 3.0 IP, 3 R
- Mady Yackee (vs. Liberty): 2.0 IP, 4 R
- Lexi Johnson (vs. Liberty): 1.0 IP, no runs allowed
Game Overviews
Against Syracuse:
- Syracuse took an early lead with an RBI single.
- Toledo’s Eli Enriquez equalized after a Syracuse error.
- However, two solo home runs from Syracuse put them back ahead.
- Jenna Gober’s big fifth-inning single tied the game, but Syracuse quickly responded with a two-RBI single to secure their victory.
Against Liberty:
- Liberty scored early, taking a significant lead by the fifth inning.
- Payton Abiley’s sixth-inning single got Toledo on the board, but Liberty regained control, scoring again shortly after.
- The Rockets attempted a comeback in the seventh but couldn’t bring any runners home.
Looking Ahead
As Toledo prepares for their upcoming games, strong team performance and strategic play will be essential. With players like Gober and Abiley making strides in their performance, the team has potential to turn things around. In fast-paced sports like softball, the fight to adjust and grow after setbacks can be a decisive factor in shaping the team’s season.
For more details on how collegiate sports teams are performing this season, check out sources like the NCAA for statistics and standings.
