Ball State University Athletics
Softball Opens MAC Slate with Doubleheader Split vs. Akron
March 31, 2006 | Softball
Ball State vs. Akron Game 2 Box Score
The Ball State softball team opened its 2006 Mid-American Conference schedule with a double-header split vs. Akron Friday afternoon at the BSU Softball Complex. The Cardinals (7-11/1-1 MAC) won the opening game 1-0, while suffering a 7-6 setback to the Zips (9-14/1-1 MAC) in the nightcap.
BSU will return to the field Saturday when it opens a two-game series versus Ohio at
GAME 1 RECAP
In the opening game, the Cardinals would score the only run of the contest in the bottom of the first when Taylor Yancey crossed the plate on a pass ball to give Ball State a 1-0 victory.
With one out, Yancey singled up the middle and advance to second on Akron's first pass ball of the inning. Back-to-back BSU strikeouts should have ended the inning, but the second pass ball of the inning on the final strikeout allowed Yancey to score from second as the catcher attempted to complete the out with a throw to first.
Yancey would finish the contest with a pair of singles, while Cortney Patteson recorded BSU's other hit in the game.
BSU pitcher Amanda Pick, who improved to 3-3 with the win, would shutdown the Akron offense throughout the game, allowing just three hits and one walk, while recording three strikeouts.
Megan MacKenzie took the loss for Akron, falling to 5-10, despite recording nine strikeouts. She allowed just three hits and one unearned run in the game.
For the game, Ball State would score one run, on three hits with one error. Akron would tally no runs, on three hits with no errors.
GAME TWO RECAP
In the second game, the Cardinals jumped out to a 4-0 advantage in the bottom of the third, only to have Akron score seven of the final nine runs for a 7-6 victory.
Kamilah Holle would open the bottom of the third by legging out an infield single and would advance to second on a Sarah McGregor single to left. A sacrifice bunt from Allie Pennock would push the runners to second and third, before Kelli Jaziorski loaded the bases by reaching first on an error.
Yancey would follow with a three-run triple to give BSU a 3-0 edge. A Pick bunt single would then drive in Yancey to push the score to 4-0.
Akron would add their first run of the game in the top of the fourth on a no out, bases loaded sacrifice fly from Katrina Moffett - - scoring Carrese Moody - - before a fielders choice and a hit-saving catch by Pick at shortstop ended the inning.
The Zips would push two more runs across the board in the top of the fifth on a one-out RBI groundout from Moody and a two out RBI single from Julie Boyes.
The Cardinals regained a two-run advantage, at 5-3, in the bottom of the fifth on a Pick two-out RBI single.
Akron would fight back in the top of the sixth, putting a four-spot of their own on the board to pull ahead 7-5. After loading the bases with no outs and the help of a pair of Ball State errors, a wild pitch would bring home the first run of the inning, while Boyes added three more RBI with a one-out triple to right field.
Ball State looked poised to tie the game in the bottom of the frame, with runners at second and third with two outs, but a groundout ended the rally.
The Cardinals would add their final run of the contest in the bottom of the seventh on one of the quirkiest plays of the afternoon. With one out and Yancey on first base, Pick singled up the middle to push Yancey to third. However, Akron missed the throw into the infield which allowed Yancey to score, while Pick was thrown out at second.
Katie Pilger would draw a walk in the next at bat to give BSU life, but after fowling several balls off, Gross would strikeout swinging to end the game.
Abby Zollman suffered the loss in the contest, falling to 1-2 on the year, after entering the game in relief in the top of the sixth. Zollman, who was hindered by the BSU errors, allowing four unearned runs on one hit, while walking a batter and hitting a batter in one-third of an inning of work.
Quincy Duran started on the mound for the Cardinals, limiting Akron to three runs and nine hits over five innings of work. Nicki Hellem threw the final 1.2 innings for BSU, allowing just one hit. Duran finished the game with a pair of strikeouts, while Hellem fanned three Zips.
Boyes picked up the win for Akron, allowing six runs - - four earned - - on nine hits with five strikeouts.
For the game, Ball State scored six runs on nine hits with two errors. Akron tallied seven runs on 11 hits with three errors.
