Ball State University Athletics
Softball Punched Out by Notre Dame
April 11, 2006 | Softball
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Ball State ended a six-game midseason road trek with a 6-0 loss Tuesday at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish set the tone early, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in their first at-bat. The Cardinals threatened with runners in scoring position twice, but came up short both times.
Notre Dame's first scoring burst came when, with two outs and bases empty, Mallorie Lenn doubled to left center to begin a series of four-successive base runners – including three hits – resulting in a 3-0 advantage.
The Irish threatened again with three runners on base and one out in the third. However, Ball State starting pitcher Amanda Pick closed out the inning with a fly out and a strikeout.
After 11-straight retired batters, Pick became the Cardinals' first base runner in the fourth inning, but Notre Dame's starting pitcher Heather Booth closed out the inning with a strikeout.
With one out in the Cardinals' fifth, Katie Pilger earned a base after being hit by a pitch thrown by UND reliever Kenya Fuemmeler. A wild pitch and a passed ball moved her to third base and, after a strikeout and then a walk to Amanda Graeter, the Fighting Irish escaped the inning on a force out at second base.
After eight unsuccessful at-bats, Notre Dame added three more insurance runs in the sixth inning. The Irish took advantage of one BSU miscue and sacked relief pitcher Laura Masch with three hits, including a two-run home run by Brittany Glynn.
Ball State attempted another rally in the seventh. With two outs, Pilger walked. Allie Pennock followed by earning first after being hit by the pitcher. Amanda Graeter then singled to right field to load the bases, but UND's Britteny Bargar struck out Sarah McGregor to end the game.
Notre Dame posted a 9-2 lead in hits. Besides Graeter, Kelli Jeziorski had a lead-off single to start the sixth. The Cardinals stranded six base runners in the contest. Pick took the loss, pitching the first four innings before moving to shortstop and being replaced by Masch on the mound. Booth earned the victory for Notre Dame.
"Once again our offense failed us," BSU head coach Terri Laux. "I think our mental approach in the batter's box was not of an aggressive mindset, but rather more of a defensive one. We need to go into the box being confident, being aggressive and looking to drive the ball."
The game, which featured a homecoming for two Ball State players – freshmen Kamilah Holle and Shannon Sharpe of Granger – was televised by Comcast Local.
BSU, 9-17 overall, returns home to Muncie this weekend to resume its Mid-American Conference schedule. The Cardinals host East Division leader Bowling Green in a twinbill Friday and then entertain Toledo in single games Saturday and Sunday.
