
Photo by: Buddy Delahoussaye
Strong Pitching not Enough in Pair of Softball Losses
February 24, 2017 | Softball
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - - Ball State softball's pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts and did not allow an earned run, but the Cardinals could not get anything going on offense in losses to Oakland (1-0) and Lehigh (2-1) Friday afternoon in the Citrus Classic I at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
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In Friday's opener, freshman pitcher Darcie Huber (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield Central) dominated in the circle, holding Oakland to just one hit while striking out a career-high seven batters. She retired the side in order four times, including each of the final two innings.
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The second game saw junior pitcher Carolyn Wilmes (Evansville, Ind./Mater Dei) limit Lehigh to seven hits and a pair of unearned runs, while striking out five. She also retired the side in order twice.
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With the pair of losses, the Ball State softball team falls to 3-9 on the year. The Cardinals close play in the event Saturday with games versus Georgia Southern (11 a.m.) and Liberty (1:15 p.m.).
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GAME 1 RECAP: Oakland 1 – Ball State 0
Ball State's opening game in the Citrus Classic I at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex saw Huber dominate in the circle, holding Oakland (5-1) to just one hit while striking out a career-high seven batters.
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Unfortunately, the Golden Grizzles were able to capitalize on a fifth-inning error to score what proved to be a 1-0 victory. With one out a Ball State miscue gave the guests on the board a runner at first. Oakland went on to load the bases on back-to-back walks, setting up an RBI fielder's choice from Lyndsay Hill.
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Oakland's pitcher Erin Kownacki went toe-for-toe with Huber in the circle, limiting the Ball State offense to just two hits in the game. Senior center fielder Rachel Houck (Greenfield, Ind./Louisville) had the first with a leadoff double in the bottom of the first, while freshman designated player Janae Hogg (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) singled up the middle to open the bottom of the fourth.
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Unfortunately, the Cardinals offense could not capitalize on either and ultimately stranded four runners on base in the game.
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In addition to her seven strikeouts, Huber kept the Cardinals in the game by retiring the Golden Grizzlies in order four times, including the sixth and seventh innings.
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GAME 2 RECAP: Lehigh 2 – Ball State 1
The day's second game started with another dominating pitching performance, as Wilmes held the Mountain Hawks (2-0) scoreless over the game's first five innings. She finished the game with five strikeouts over 6.1 innings of work, allowing seven hits and a pair of unearned runs.
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It was the Cardinals who broke onto the scoreboard first, as junior shortstop Brittany Hopper (Scottsdale, Ariz./Phoenix College) reached on an error to open the bottom of the sixth inning. After a sacrifice bunt from senior third baseman Amanda Arnett (Monroe, Mich./Monroe) moved freshman pinch runner Tara Morey (New Palestine, Ind./New Palestine) to second, freshman left fielder Kennedy Wynn (New Albany, Ind./New Albany) smashed a double through the gap in right-center field to drive in Ball State's lone run of the day.
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Unfortunately, Lehigh answered with unearned runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to go on and win the game 2-1. Vicky Lattanzio drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh with a one-out, bases loaded single up the middle.
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For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSoftball.
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- BallStateSports.com –
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In Friday's opener, freshman pitcher Darcie Huber (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield Central) dominated in the circle, holding Oakland to just one hit while striking out a career-high seven batters. She retired the side in order four times, including each of the final two innings.
Â
The second game saw junior pitcher Carolyn Wilmes (Evansville, Ind./Mater Dei) limit Lehigh to seven hits and a pair of unearned runs, while striking out five. She also retired the side in order twice.
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With the pair of losses, the Ball State softball team falls to 3-9 on the year. The Cardinals close play in the event Saturday with games versus Georgia Southern (11 a.m.) and Liberty (1:15 p.m.).
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GAME 1 RECAP: Oakland 1 – Ball State 0
Ball State's opening game in the Citrus Classic I at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex saw Huber dominate in the circle, holding Oakland (5-1) to just one hit while striking out a career-high seven batters.
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Unfortunately, the Golden Grizzles were able to capitalize on a fifth-inning error to score what proved to be a 1-0 victory. With one out a Ball State miscue gave the guests on the board a runner at first. Oakland went on to load the bases on back-to-back walks, setting up an RBI fielder's choice from Lyndsay Hill.
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Oakland's pitcher Erin Kownacki went toe-for-toe with Huber in the circle, limiting the Ball State offense to just two hits in the game. Senior center fielder Rachel Houck (Greenfield, Ind./Louisville) had the first with a leadoff double in the bottom of the first, while freshman designated player Janae Hogg (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) singled up the middle to open the bottom of the fourth.
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Unfortunately, the Cardinals offense could not capitalize on either and ultimately stranded four runners on base in the game.
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In addition to her seven strikeouts, Huber kept the Cardinals in the game by retiring the Golden Grizzlies in order four times, including the sixth and seventh innings.
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GAME 2 RECAP: Lehigh 2 – Ball State 1
The day's second game started with another dominating pitching performance, as Wilmes held the Mountain Hawks (2-0) scoreless over the game's first five innings. She finished the game with five strikeouts over 6.1 innings of work, allowing seven hits and a pair of unearned runs.
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It was the Cardinals who broke onto the scoreboard first, as junior shortstop Brittany Hopper (Scottsdale, Ariz./Phoenix College) reached on an error to open the bottom of the sixth inning. After a sacrifice bunt from senior third baseman Amanda Arnett (Monroe, Mich./Monroe) moved freshman pinch runner Tara Morey (New Palestine, Ind./New Palestine) to second, freshman left fielder Kennedy Wynn (New Albany, Ind./New Albany) smashed a double through the gap in right-center field to drive in Ball State's lone run of the day.
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Unfortunately, Lehigh answered with unearned runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to go on and win the game 2-1. Vicky Lattanzio drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh with a one-out, bases loaded single up the middle.
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For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSoftball.
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- BallStateSports.com –
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: KOWNACKI, Erin (3-0)
L: Huber, Darcie (2-3)
Batting:
RBI: HILL, Lyndsay 1
Base Running:
RUNS: WALEWSKI, Abbey 1
SB: HILL, Lyndsay 1
HBP: MILLER, Brittney 1

Batting:
2B: Houck, Rachel 1
SH: Lee, Madison 1 ; Miles, Aeshia 1
Base Running:
HBP: King, Danae 1
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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