Five Home Runs Propel EMU to Doubleheader Sweep of Toledo

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score

YPSILANTI, Mich.- The Eastern Michigan University softball team hit five home runs en route to a doubleheader sweep of the University of Toledo, blanking the Rockets, 7-0, before rallying to win the second contest, 4-3, off a Jenny Scherer (Stow, Ohio-Stow-Munroe) walk-off double.

With the two wins, EMU improves to 21-29 (7-13 MAC) while Toledo drops to 8-36 (6-14 MAC) on the season. The Eagles have beaten the Rockets four times this season, including earning two shutout wins.

On the afternoon, sophomore Stacie Skodinski (South Bend, Ind.-Washington) collected five hits, including two home runs, while knocking in five runs. Four runs came with one swing of the bat, as the sophomore slugged a grand slam in the bottom of the fourth inning of the first game to put the game out of reach. Also going yard for the Eagles were Kaylee Tolliver (Amanda, Ohio-Amanda Clearcreek), McKenna Russ (North Canton, Ohio-Hoover) and Scherer.

The first contest saw the Eagles jump out to a quick 1-0 advantage and never look back. Sophomore pitcher Jaclyn Caro (Chino, Calif.-St. Lucy's Priory) went the distance in the circle, picking up her second shutout of the season. Caro allowed only three hits while striking out four to even her record at 13-13.

The Eagles put a run on the board in the first frame off a Scherer sacrifice fly to center, with Tolliver coming through with her third home run of the season in the second to increase the lead to 2-0. Another sacrifice fly, this one by Sarah Gerber (North Canton, Ohio-Hoover), pushed the EMU advantage to 3-0. Skodinski's grand slam in the fourth put the game out of reach, as the Eagles coasted to a 7-0 decision.

EMU once again jumped out to an early lead in the nightcap when leadoff batter Russ knocked one out of the park, to put the home team on top 1-0. Toledo would take its first lead of the afternoon in the third, as the Rockets put two on the board to go on top, 2-1.

The Rocket lead would increase to 3-1 off a Brie Ford RBI double in the top of the fourth. EMU would get one of those runs back in the bottom half of the inning when Skodinski hit her 9th home run of the season to close the gap, 3-2. Scherer's 12th home run of the season, coming in the sixth inning, allowed the Eagles to tie the game in the fifth.

After both teams went scoreless in the sixth inning, Gerber led off the seventh with a double through the right side, bringing Scherer to the plate. The junior centerfielder did not disappoint, as her double to left center allowed Gerber to cross the plate and give the Eagles a come-from-behind victory.

Junior Michelle Hletko (Westmont, Ill.-Westmont) picked up the win, pitching 4.0 innings of relief, giving up one run on three hits while striking out three.

The Eagles, now tied with Bowling Green at 7-13 in MAC play, welcome the Falcons to Varsity Field for a two-game set. The teams are scheduled to play a single game tomorrow, May 2, at 2 p.m. Tomorrow's contest marks Alumni Day, as all former EMU softball players in attendance will be recognized throughout the game. EMU and BGSU will wrap up the weekend with a 1 p.m. Sunday tilt.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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