Softball Earns Program Win 1000 in Friday Split with WMU

MUNCIE, Ind.- - Thanks to a sixth-inning RBI double from sophomore left fielder Haley Dominique and another dominating relief appearance from sophomore closer Alyssa Rothwell, the Ball State softball team closed its Friday doubleheader versus Western Michigan with a 7-6 win at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.

It was a memorable win on two accounts; as it was the 1000th win in program history and Rothwell picked up her program-record 10th career save.

Unfortunately, the Cardinals (27-13; 9-4 Mid-American Conference) suffered a 6-4 setback to the Broncos (21-17; 8-5 MAC) in the day's opener.

Aside from Rothwell's strong pitching, she struck out 10 total batters in two appearances including the side in the seventh of the game two victory, longballs were the name of the game Friday as the team's combined for seven home runs on the day.

FROM COACH BARTLETT:
"We definitely let that first one get away from us, but we were able to rebound in the second game. We did a better job commanding the strike zone in game two. Aeshia just throw one miss to make it interesting. Other than that, she threw a really good game.

"Alyssa was lights out on the mound again. We are letting our closer do her work. She did a great job and dominated again today, with 10 total strikeouts over her two outings.

"We hit a few balls out of the park in game two, but overall we did a better job of swinging at strikes and watching balls. Any time we can consistently command the strike zone like that with our hitters, good things are going to happen.

"I am very honored to coach the program's 1,000th win. Ball State is a special place and this program has been dominant in the MAC over the better part of the last two decades. I am very grateful to be a part of it."

BREAKING DOWN GAME 1: Western Michigan 6 - Ball State 4
• After a scoreless first inning, the Broncos took an early 3-0 lead courtesy of a three-run home run in the top of the second.

• Ball State countered with a two-run blast of its own in the bottom of the inning, as junior designated player Annie Robinson reached on an error to open the inning and senior first baseman Danae King followed with her third home run of the season two batters later.

• Unfortunately, WMU tallied another solo shot in the third and capitalized on an error in the fourth to reclaim the three-run lead at 5-2.

• The Cardinals would not go down without a fight, however, battling back with one run on another two-run home run. With two outs, junior right fielder Madison Lee singled to right field to keep the inning alive for sophomore center fielder Kennedy Wynn. Wynn made the most of her at-bat, depositing a two-run shot over the fence in left field.

• Ball State would get no closer, however, as WMU capitalized on another defensive miscue to give the game it's final score of 6-4.

• Senior Carolyn Wilmes started in the circle, allowing four hits and five runs (three earned) over her 3.0 innings of work to suffer the loss and fall to 9-5 on the year.

• Rothwell pitched the final four innings, striking out seven of the 16 batters she faced. She did allow two hits and one unearned run in her longest appearance of the season.

BREAKING DOWN GAME 2: Ball State 7 - Western Michigan 6
• Ball State came out with a vengeance in Friday's nightcap, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning.

• After being held off the bases for the first time in 17 games in the opener, sophomore left fielder Haley Dominique open the bottom of the first inning with a single through the right side.

• After drawing three walks in the opener, junior right fielder Olivia Huffman followed with a single of her own, while sophomore third baseman Janae Hogg drew a walk to load the bases with no outs.

• Things looked bleak for a moment, however, as back-to-back strikeouts threatened to derail the Ball State rally.

• However, freshman shortstop Stacy Payton came through with a clutch two-run single to right field, driving in the first two runs of the game. Wynn followed with a fly to right field which was dropped allowing two more runs to score.

• Following a scoreless second inning, WMU capitalized on a leadoff walk and a two-out error to cut the Ball State edge to 4-1 in the third.

• Robinson, however, countered in the bottom of the frame by leading off with her fifth home run of the season to dead center field.

• Aided by a pair of Ball State errors in the top of the fourth, the Broncos were able to score two more runs, cutting the Cardinals lead to 5-3.

• Like the inning before, however, Ball State bounced back as Lee led off the inning with her third homer of the year.

• After a quiet fifth inning, the Cardinals were able to record two quick outs in the top of the sixth, only to see back-to-back singles and a three-run home run allow Western Michigan to tie the score at 6-6.

• Ball State would not be denied the program's 1000th win, however, as Wynn singled to open the bottom of the sixth and was replaced by freshman pinch runner Taylor Castleberry.

• The switch paid off, as after a pair of outs, Dominique blasted a double to left-center field and the speedy Castleberry came around to score the game-winning run.

• Rothwell would enter the game with the one-run lead in the seventh and was able to lock down her program record 10th career save by striking out the side in the seventh.

• Junior pitcher Aeshia Miles earned the pitching win, improving to 14-6 on the year, after throwing the first six innings. She allowed seven hits and six runs (four earned), while striking out three.

NEXT UP
Ball State and Western Michigan will look to close their three-game series Saturday with a scheduled 1 p.m. first start; weather dependent. Stay tuned to BallStateSports.com and @BallStateSB on twitter for possible schedule updates.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSB.

Softball Earns Program Win 1000 in Friday Split with WMU

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Team Stats

Stacy Payton

Danae King

Madison Lee

Kennedy Wynn

Players Mentioned

Taylor Castleberry

Haley Dominique

Janae Hogg

Olivia Huffman

Danae King

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Stacy Payton

Annie Robinson

Alyssa Rothwell

Carolyn Wilmes

Kennedy Wynn

Players Mentioned

Taylor Castleberry

Haley Dominique

Janae Hogg

Olivia Huffman

Danae King

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Stacy Payton

Annie Robinson

Alyssa Rothwell

Carolyn Wilmes

Kennedy Wynn