Softball Rallies In 7th For Win

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. ? The Ball State softball team lost to Eastern Kentucky 3-0 to start day two of the Panera Bread Tournament, but came back to score five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to earn their third win of the season.

In game one, Eastern Kentucky took the lead with an RBI single by Shyenne Hussey in the top of the first inning. Hussey increased the Colonels lead with a solo home run in fourth inning, and later in the sixth inning Hussey returned to the plate to hit another RBI single putting the Colonels on top 3-0.

Ball State turned a triple play in the top of the fifth inning. The Colonels had base runners on second and third with Chanze Patterson up to bat. Alyssa Collins caught a pop fly ball in right field to record the first out. Eastern Kentucky's Pam Webber tried to tag up and score on the play from third, but a good throw from Collins stopped her on the third baseline. Cassi Gibson got caught between second and third base and was called out because she ran outside of the base line. Alicia Barkley threw the ball home to make the final out as Webber tried to score while Gibson was in the rundown.

Kamilah Holle hit a double in the fifth inning, and Collins added a single in the bottom of the seventh inning for the Cardinals.

Tiffany Garofano took the loss for Ball State. Garofano threw a complete game and recorded nine strikeouts.

The Cards faced East Tennessee State in game two. The Bucs jumped out in front in the second inning with a solo home run by Caitlin Zyskowski.

ETSU increased their lead in the third inning. Katie Henderson reached on a single to start the inning. Kate Powell followed with another single to keep things going for the Bucs. Katy Jett delivered a two RBI single pushing ETSU in front 3-0.

Jett finished the game 2-3 with a double and two RBI.

Ball State threatened to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two runners on base Abby Gross hit two balls out of the stadium, but they were both in foul territory. Gross ended the at bat and the inning by flying out to center field.

Amanda Pick put the Cards on the scoreboard with a solo home run in the sixth inning.

The Bucs expanded their lead to 5-1 in the seventh inning by adding two more runs.

Milian stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning for BSU. She delivered a bases clearing double to center field to keep the Cardinals alive.

Milian went on to score the game tying run, as Pick reached first on an error by ETSU. The Bucs recorded another error during the next at bat allowing Collins to advance to second and also moved Pick to third.

Holle came through in the clutch with a base hit to left field sending the game winning run home, giving the Cardinals a 6-5 victory.

Milian earned the win on the mound for Ball State. She threw a complete game and improved her record to 3-2.

Ball State will play Lipscomb and St. Francis in the final day of the tournament.

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Players Mentioned

Alicia Barkley

Alyssa Collins

Tiffany Garofano