Ball State University
Eastern Michigan (DH)
Softball Sweeps Eastern Michigan Saturday With 22 Hits
March 28, 2009 | Softball
YPSILANTI, Mich. ? The Ball State softball team improved to 13-14 as the team earned two wins over Eastern Michigan (11-18) continuing Mid-American Conference play.
GAME ONE
Thirteen hits gave Ball State its second MAC win with a 6-0 victory over Eastern Michigan. Leading the charge, Alicia Barkley went 3-for-4 in the game, including a double, while logging two runs and two RBI. Alyssa Collins also went 3-for-4 earning one run and stealing two bases.
For the third game in a row, Ball State came out swinging as Allie Pennock advanced to third base on a fielding error by Eastern Michigan's left fielder. Following that, Barkley drove in an RBI double for the first run of the game. Collins used speed to reach first. She then stole second which allowed Barkley to score on the throw for a 2-0 lead. After Collins stole third, Milian drove her in off a single down the left field line, just before the inning ended for a three-run advantage.
Milian gave up just one hit while fanning two to close of the first inning.
Kamilah Holle earned a hit for the third consecutive game; however, it was the only hit for the Cardinals in the top of the second.
Milian continued her strong performance in the circle by assisting the first two putouts to Jen Reifschneider on first base and striking out the last batter to end the Eagle's chances in the bottom of the second.
Back to back hits by Barkley and Collins put runners on first and second for Ball State to begin the third inning. Barkley was able to plate a fourth run on a single from Reifschneider up the middle; however, the Cardinals were unable to earn any more marks on the board.
Ball State led seven hits to two after three innings. The Cardinals continued to find the gaps the following inning. With two outs and two runners on base, Barkley singled into left center field to advance pinch runner Katelyn Gunderson to produce another Cardinal run as Ball State led 5-0.
The Eagles earned their third hit in the fourth inning with a single to left field, but were unable to capitalize on any runs.
For Ball State's tenth hit of the game, Reifschneider sent her second hit up the middle. During a single by Milian, Reifschneider reached second base on an error by the shortstop. She was forced out at third after Jen Moore reached on a fielder's choice. Bases loaded after a Holle's hit scored Milian and a walk, but Ball State could not earn another run.
Milian (10-9) did not face more than four batters in an inning until the sixth. Ball State had not had fewer than four batters until the same inning. It was the first time Ball State had not scored in an inning as well. The team could not score in the seventh either.
With a 13 ? 5 hitting deficit, Eastern Michigan was unable to score a run in the seventh, giving Ball State the 6-0 victory.
GAME TWO
Eastern Michigan attempted redemption in game two but fell 3-2 by giving the Cardinals an early two-run advantage.
Ball State struck first in the top of the second inning when Kate Wilczynski and Holle logged back to back doubles. First baseman Kristy Stratton then found a hole in right center field that earned her a single and two RBI with Wilczynski and Holle scoring. With four hits, the Cardinals led with two runs.
With one out, Barkley walked and then stole second. Collins logged a double over the shortstop's head to move Barkley around the bases. However, Barkley was called out at home on a long throw from the left fielder to the plate. A strikeout closed the side.
Three quick Eagle outs put Ball State at bat again in the top of the fourth. First at the plate, Holle reached on an error by the second baseman. Stratton then sent one down the right field line and advanced Holle to third. Holle was then tagged out attempting to advance home during the next batter.
Masch continued the defensive efforts by giving up just one hit in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Eagles had just one other hit in the first.
Barkley notched her fourth hit of the day, first in the game, and advanced to second on the throw in the fifth. Collins also earned a single and advanced to second as Barkley scored Ball State's third run.
The Eagles answered with two runs of their own late in the game. After a single and walk, the runner on second advanced to third after a deep fly ball was caught by Rozanski in center field. Another walk loaded the bases. Kelsey Greene singled up the middle, driving two runners in for the Eagles' first runs of the day in the bottom of the fifth.
Milian replaced Masch in the circle with the score at 3-2. Masch finished with two strikeouts after giving up four hits and two runs in four and two-thirds innings of work.
Ball State could not put a runner on base during the top of the sixth inning.
After one batter was hit by a pitch, a single to left field advanced the tying run to third for Eastern Michigan. However, a strikeout and an assist by Wilczynski to first ended the inning before the Eagles could score.
Pennock walked with two outs in the top of the seventh. Barkley then singled to the shortstop and started towards second; however, the second baseman caught Pennock advancing home.
In the bottom of the seventh, Milian held the Eagles without a hit to earn her first save of the season in the 3-2 victory. Masch earned the win for a 3-2 record.
Ball State earned nine hits in the game with one error. Eastern Michigan had five hits with two errors.
Ball State (13-14 overall, 3-1 in MAC) take on Big Ten foe Ohio State (24-5) 5 p.m. Wednesday in a mid-week double header in Columbus, Ohio. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
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