Ball State University
Toledo
Softball?s Head Coach Earns 800th Career Victory At Toledo
April 11, 2009 | Softball
TOLEDO, Ohio. ? The Ball State softball team improved to 9-1 in Mid-American Conference play (19-16 overall) as head coach Craig Nicholson notched his 800th career victory. The nine wins ties the total number of conference victories last season.
Elizabeth Milian (14-10) pitched her fourth shutout this season in the 2-0 victory over Toledo (5-26, 3-6 in MAC).
With two quick outs to start the game, Alicia Barkley beat out a hit to the third baseman, but was caught stealing second to end the top of the first.
Milian struck out the first batter in the bottom of the first. The second batter singled to right field for the Rocket's first hit. She was also caught stealing second on a throw from Natalie Bejarano to Barkley at second base, but a shallow hit to right field put another Toledo runner on. A second shallow hit to left field and a walk loaded the bases with two outs. Milian struck out the next batter to save the Cardinals from giving up any runs.
Alyssa Collins led off in the second inning and logged a single down the left field line. Jen Reifschneider's earned her seventh double of the season to right center field knocking in Collins for a 1-0 lead. With two outs, Amanda Montalto singled through the middle and pushed Reifschneider in for the Cardinals' second run before the last out.
Both teams earned three quick outs in the bottom of the second and top of the third. However, Toledo notched its fourth hit with a single through the middle in the bottom of the third. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Two fly outs followed and Milian struck out her fourth batter to close the inning.
Collins hustled for a single to the second baseman in her second hit of the game. She finished 2-for-3 and also stole second but was unable to score in the top of the fourth. The Rockets also logged one hit in the bottom of the fourth but remained without a run.
Kamilah Holle singled to left field and Allie Pennock reached on a fielder's choice in the fifth. But two strikeouts and with Holle thrown out trying to advance home Toledo prevented any more scoring opportunities for the Cardinals.
Neither team logged a hit throughout the next inning and a half until Toledo's Jillian Spink singled down the right field line in the bottom of the seventh. But the Rocket's efforts were not enough as Ball State clinched its eighth straight conference win.
The Cardinals face Toledo 1 p.m. Sunday for the final game of the weekend. Live stats will be available through ballstatesports.com.
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