Ball State University
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Dartmouth
Ball State Falls To FIU To End The Speedline Tournament
March 18, 2007 | Softball
TAMPA, Fla -- The Ball State softball team leaves Tampa, Fla. with a 7-14 record after losing to Dartmouth in extra innings 3-4, falling to tournament host South Florida 1-4 and exiting the tournament with a loss to Florida International 0-7.
In the first game of day two, Ball State faced Dartmouth. The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning when freshman J.J. Wright came to the plate to deliver a two-run double to put Dartmouth on top 2-0.
Ball State bounced back in the sixth inning to tie the game as junior Abby Gross singled up the middle to score Brittney Jones and Allie Pennock to tie the game.
The game remained tied after seven innings of play so the international tie breaker rule was put into effect. Pennock was placed on second to start the eighth inning. Taylor Yancey singled to advance Pennock to third base. Yancey went on to steal second while Gross was at bat. Gross hit a single to left center field which scored Pennock, Yancey rounded third base and tried to score but was called out at the plate.
Ball State recorded two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning before Leigha Clarkson singled to left field to keep her team alive. The next Dartmouth batter hit a double to right field driving home a run to tie the game at 3-3. Then freshman Christy Autin finished the game with a RBI single that put Dartmouth on top 4-3.
Ball State faced South Florida immediately after the Dartmouth game. The Cardinals started the game with a lead-off walk. Pennock went on to steal second and third base. The catchers throw to third in attempt to get Pennock out was off and Pennock went on to score the team's only run of the game.
Senior Kelli Jeziorski recorded the only two hits of the game for the Cardinals as she finished the game 2-for-3. The loss to South Florida set the Cardinals up for a game against Florida International.
Ball State got down early as Florida International put up four runs in the third inning after a three-run homerun. Ball State couldn't find a rhythm as they were held to a single hit.
Ball State returns to action March 24, to play in the Iowa Tournament. The Cardinals will face North Dakota State at 10 a.m. to start the weekend.
