Ball State University
Akron (DH)
Softball?s Rozanski and Reifschneider Set Records At Akron
April 24, 2009 | Softball
AKRON, Ohio ? The Ball State softball team split with Akron for a 14-3 record in Mid-American Conference play. The 14 conference wins marks the most in the three-year tenure of head coach Craig Nicholson, as the Cardinals post a 24-22 overall record.
GAME ONE
Ball State's handed Akron its first loss at home with an eighth inning rally of four runs for the 7-3 victory. Lisa Rozanski became the Ball State career-stolen bases record holder at 71 with a stolen base against Akron in game one. She tallied 43 as the single-season leader last season and has 28 this year. She is also quickly approaching the single-season run record with 38, the record is 42. She accumulated 41 last season at second on the charts. Rozanski is also currently on a seven-game hit streak.
Leading off for Ball State, Rozanski singled through the right side. She stole second, earning the career record. Alicia Barkley advanced her to third with an infield single. Barkley advanced to third and Rozanski scored as Alyssa Collins grounded out. Two other batters struck out, but the Cardinals ended the inning with a one-run lead.
Elizabeth Milian's defense in the bottom of the first included striking out two batters and throwing another out at first to bring Ball State quickly back to the plate. Milian (17-13) earned seven strikeouts on the day, five in the first three innings and is currently tied for third all-time with 17 wins. Amanda Montalto doubled over the center fielder's head to begin the top of the second inning. Jackie Durment pinch ran for her, but the next three batters could not push her home.
The Cardinals gave up just two hits through three innings, until Julie Boyes' home run deep over the left field wall tied the score in the fourth with no outs.
After a single, Ball State regained the lead as Rozanski scored her second run of the day on Barkley's double down the right field line. Barkley advanced to third on a throwing error by the right fielder but was unable to score. Akron answered with an RBI triple in its half of the inning to tie the score once more 2-2. On the next batter, the Zips took the lead for the first time with a sacrifice fly into left field, driving one more run in. With two outs, the following batter doubled off the center field wall. From left field, Allie Pennock was able to throw her out at advancing to home in the team's next at bat to end the inning.
Two singles put runners on first and second in the top of the sixth for Ball State. They advanced to second and third with a fly out to the left field warning track. Milian's sacrifice fly in the same spot allowed pinch runner, Katelyn Gunderson to score the tying run at three apiece.
With two on, Milian struck out the previous home run-hitter, ending regulation innings.
The extra inning allowed the Cardinals to propel an unanswered four run lead in the eighth. Montalto led off with a walk and Milian singled down the left field line to put two on, with one out. Kamilah Holle singled into left center field, pushing pinch runner Katie Rynex to third and scoring Montalto. In the top of the order, Kristy Stratton pinch hit for Pennock and singled into center field, earning the team's fifth run. Barkley's third hit of the day loaded the bases with two outs. Collins singled through the middle, scoring two more runs as Ball State commanded a 7-3 lead, enough for a victory.
Ball State logged the most hits in a single game this season with 15 compared to Akron's eight. Barkley went 4-for-5 in the game, the most a Cardinal has earned in a single game this year.
GAME TWO
Setting another record, Jen Reifschneider logged her ninth home run of the season, beating the previous single-season record set last season with eight. However, it was the only run as the Cardinals fell 2-1 in the nightcap, despite leading five hits to four.
After a scoreless three innings, both teams compiled three hits total with Akron leading 2-1. Barkley continued her hits with a single in the top of the fourth, but Ball State could not earn any runs.
Alex Feltes provided Akron's second home run of the day, giving the Zips a 1-0 lead after four innings. Reifschneider notched a home run of her own, tying the score 1-1. Reifschneider leads the team with 29 RBI. Her last home run she notched against Northern Illinois April 17 tied the single-season record.
Akron took the lead for good 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth without earning a single hit. The Zips tallied a walk and three fielder's choice. After two outs in the top of the seventh, Kate Wilczynski (2-3) kept the inning alive with a single into right center field, but the Cardinals could not find another hit, falling 2-1.
The loss is Laura Masch's first in conference play as she posts a 5-1record, 7-6 overall, giving up just four hits in the game.
With four regular-season contests remaining, Ball State is four victories away from tying the third best record in history with 19 MAC wins set in 1998 in which the team won the MAC Tournament. The best record, 21-14 was set in 1993.
The Cardinals are back in action 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday at Ohio for the last road games this season before a home matchup with Miami and the MAC Tournament. Live stats will be available for this weekend's games.
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