Ball State University
IUPUI
Softball Defeats IUPUI 5-4 In Thrilling Win
March 25, 2009 | Softball
MUNCIE, Ind. ? The Ball State softball team (10-13) battled with IUPUI Wednesday for a 5-4 win in its second home game this season.
Despite two solo homeruns by IUPUI (3-26) the Jaguars could not hold on in the seventh inning.
It began as the Cardinals defense did not allow an IUPUI runner on base for the first three batters. Allie Pennock took to the plate for Ball State in the bottom of the first and knocked her second triple of season into right center for the Cardinals first hit. A sacrifice hit by Alicia Barkley drove Pennock in at home for an early lead.
The Jaguars' Alicia Hayes logged a run of her own the next inning with a solo home run over the left field fence, tying the score at one a piece. It was the only hit of the inning.
In the third, with a full count, pitcher Laura Masch struck out Cayleigh Harvey for the second out. Lisa Rozanski then made a diving catch in center field to end the inning.
After a scoreless third for Ball State, the Jaguars took a 2-1 lead in the fourth as pitcher Amy Raker hit IUPUI's second solo home run of the game over the left center field wall. After two straight walks, Masch struck out the last batter for her fourth strikeout in the game.
The Cardinals found their scoring in the bottom of the fourth. Jen Reifschneider earned her fourth double of the season to begin the inning. Jackie Durment pinch ran for her, and as Amanda Montalto singled, she missed being caught by the shortstop at third. Kate Wilczynski stepped to bat and notched her first hit in three games over the shortstop's head, scoring Durment to even the score. Kristy Stratton logged her third career hit in the same spot for the team's third single in a row and pushed in Montalto. With four hits, the Cardinals led the Jaguars 3-2 after four innings.
Stratton then hustled from first base to catch a fly ball in foul territory for the Cardinal's first out in the fifth inning. The Jaguars then earned their first hit that wasn't over the fence to put one runner on first. Another followed as runners advanced to second and third. However, Wilczynski caught a line drive at third to end the inning.
Cassie Harvey doubled into left field for the Jaguars. Amanda Macke pinch ran for her and advanced to third on a passed ball to represent the tying run. She scored as Leah Prewitt singled to left field.
Masch (2-2) finished with five strikeouts in five and third innings of work before Elizabeth Milian (8-8) came in to pitch and Natalie Bejarano came in to catch.
After a sacrifice, a line drive down the first base line allowed the Jaguars' Laura Wilcox to score and give IUPUI a one run lead in the sixth.
Alyssa Collins singled up the middle for Ball State in the bottom of the sixth. After Reifschneider flied out to right field, Milian reached on a fielder's choice as Collins was caught going to second base. Wilczynski reached on an error by IUPUI's shortstop and advanced Milian to second. Stratton then sent a ball flying into left field for a double to drive in Wilczynski and Milian; however, Stratton was called out making her way to third.
With two outs, a ball ricocheted off Milian's foot on the mound only to be caught by Stratton who showed her defensive skills by tagging the runner out at first to end the game.
Milian took the win with one strikeout in one and two-third innings, giving up just one hit in six batters she faced.
Ball State led with nine hits to IUPUI's seven. The Jaguars also had two errors, while the Cardinals had none.
The Cardinals (10-13) head to the state of Michigan to begin a four-game road stretch, which begins Mid-American Conference play for Ball State. BSU faces Central Michigan 1 p.m. Friday for a double header, and then travels to Eastern Michigan 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday to close out the weekend. Live stats will be available through Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan's Web sites.
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