Ball State University
Central Michigan
Chippewas Defeat Cardinals In Extra Innings
April 29, 2007 | Softball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Ball State softball team was defeated by Central Michigan 9-6 in extra innings.
The Chippewas took the lead in the first inning as Jacque Benedict hit a single to left field that would allow Tracy Kaatz to score and move Amy Hudson to third. Lindsay Calme laid down a sacrifice bunt and Hudson scored to give CMU a 2-0 lead.
Ball State made a two-out rally in the third inning. Taylor Yancey recorded a single to centerfield to move Kelli Jeziorski to second. Abby Gross singled to right field as Jeziorski would score the first run of the game for Ball State.
The Chippewas tried to throw Yancey out at third but the ball sailed over third base and went into the Ball State dugout. Yancey would score while Gross moved to third base.
The Cardinals took the lead in the fourth inning. Amanda Pick started the inning with a single to centerfield. Pick was able to reach second base on a wild pitch. After Jill DeRoche walked Kam Holle the Chippewas decided to make a pitching change and put Ali Pettit on the mound.
Alisha Etzler singled to centerfield to load the bases for Allie Pennock. Pennock delivered a single to left field that allowed Pick and Holle to score.
BSU head coach Craig Nicholson continued his aggressive base running style as Etzler stole third with Pennock moving to second. Jeziorski singled to score Etzler and moved Pennock to third base.
Yancey hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield that would allow Pennock to tag up and score putting Ball State ahead 6-2.
Central Michigan made their comeback in the sixth inning. Suzie Giroux reached first with a single while Hudson got hit by a pitch. Benedict moved both runners with a sacrifice bunt.
Calme came to the plate and recorded a triple to score two runs and put herself into scoring position. Amber Olejniczak entered the game as a pinch runner for Calme.
Kari Seddon was the next CMU batter. Seddon tried to lay down a sacrifice bunt but the ball went straight back to the mound where Elizabeth Milian fielded the ball and threw it home.
Gross caught the ball and tagged Olejniczak for the out, however the home plate umpire reversed his decision as he claimed that Gross juggled the ball during the tag making the runner safe.
The Chippewas tied the game with a double from Stephanie Crews that allowed pinch runner Mallory Martens to score.
Central Michigan recorded three runs off four hits in the top of the eighth inning to take control of the game.
Elizabeth Milian was on the mound for Ball State. Milian threw all eight innings and had four strikeouts.
Ball State will return to action May 4, as they host Kent State at 1 p.m.
