Ball State University
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Western Michigan (DH)
Cardinals Fall To 2-4 In Conference Play
April 07, 2007 | Softball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Ball State softball team was defeated by the Western Michigan Broncos 4-0 and 5-4, in two of the most bizarre softball games of the season.
In total, there were three snow delays with two lasting over 20 minutes.
In game one, both teams started off slow as the players had to get used to the cold weather conditions.
Western Michigan would take control of the game in the top of the fifth inning as Kristi Strange doubled to centerfield with the bases loaded, clearing the bases and putting the Broncos up 3-0.
Strange would end up scoring on an error by the Cardinals pushing the Bronco lead to 4-0 in the fifth inning. Strange went 1-for-4 with three RBI in game one.
The Cardinals had an opportunity to close in on the Broncos lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. Western Michigan's pitcher, Kyla Sullivan gave up a hit and walked two batters to load the bases. However, the Cards already had two outs and were unable to execute the comeback finish.
Sullivan threw a complete game for Western Michigan. Sullivan gave up four hits and struck out seven batters. The win takes her overall record to 6-7.
The Cardinals had freshman Elizabeth Milian on the mound for all seven innings. With the loss Milian is now 8-9 this season.
In game two, the Broncos got out to an early lead as Strange hit a double to keep the inning alive for the Broncos. Amanda Heckaman was walked and then Becky Bartosz got a single to load the bases. Molly Mroczek delivered a two-out single to right field that would put Western Michigan on top 2-0.
Western Michigan added to its lead in the second inning with a triple by Mandi Sayres. The triple drove in two runs, and a double by Heckaman would send Sayres home making the score 5-0.
Ball State rebounded in the fourtth inning as Milian hit a double to centerfield that sent Abby Gross to third and allowed seniors Kelli Jeziorski and Taylor Yancey to score. Amanda Pick came to the plate and hit a single that scored Gross and moved Milian to third. Milian would score on a wild pitch by Megan Thomas.
Neither team could score in the remaining three innings making the final score 5-4 in favor of Western Michigan.
Thomas notched the win for the Broncos, and Sullivan picked up her first save of the season. Each pitcher recorded three strikeouts.
Ball State will return to action Saturday at 2 p.m. against conference rival Northern Illinois.
