Ball State University Athletics
Softball Drops 2-0 Decision to Indiana
April 24, 2006 | Softball
Ball State's offensive woes continued in a 2-0 loss to Indiana Monday at the BSU Softball Complex. The Cardinals managed just three hits and stranded five runners in falling for the fourth-consecutive game.
Ball State threatened immediately on Cortney Patteson's one-out double to the right center field warning track in the first inning. However, Indiana pitcher Megan Roark fanned the next two batters for a total of three in the inning on the way to eight strikeouts for the game.
Indiana scored the only run it would need when leading hitter Lauren Hines led off the second with a single. Abby Page replaced Hines on the base path and eventually scored on Stephanie Pellerito's single to center field. BSU starting pitcher Amanda Pick stranded two IU runners by retiring the next two batters.
The Cardinals threatened again in the third inning when Kamilah Holle singled with one out, Patteson walked and Pick reached first on an error. The Hoosiers got out of the inning on a fielder's choice play at third base off Abby Gross' infield grounder. The only other hit for BSU came in the fourth on Katie Pilger's one-out single in the gap between short and third base. However, IU retired the next 11 Cardinal batters to earn the win.
Indiana added an insurance run when Mariangee Bogado led off the sixth with a single, moved to second on an error and then home on a fielder's choice play.
The Hoosiers posted a 7-3 advantage in hits. Kim Richards led the way with two of the seven hits. Pick took the loss for BSU. She struck out four batters and gave up only one earned run. Roark improved to 8-13 on the mound for Indiana. Christy Wahl earned the save.
"We need to get something going on offense," BSU head coach Terri Laux said. "We are pressing too much. I thought Amanda Pick threw a pretty good game. Indiana found a few holes here and there, but we just didn't help her offensively."
Ball State, 12-23 overall, remains in Muncie for its final home date of the year tomorrow (Tuesday) versus IPFW. Game one of the doubleheader is slated for a 3 p.m. start. Both contests will be carried live by WCRD via www.ballstatesports.com.
Indiana improves to 25-22-1 with the win.
