Ball State University
Ohio
Softball Defeats Bobcats 7-3 With Seventh Inning Rally
April 26, 2009 | Softball
ATHENS, Ohio ? The Ball State softball team improved to 16-3 in the Mid-American Conference with a win over Ohio Sunday 7-3. Four runs in the seventh inning propelled the Cardinals comeback, sparked by Elizabeth Milian's double in the sixth.
Ohio led three hits to one after three scoreless innings. Both teams had runners on third in at least one inning, but neither was able to score. Bases loaded for Ball State in the top of the fourth, with one out after two walks and an error. Kate Wilczynski also walked, pushing in Barkley as the Cardinals took a 1-0 lead.
Back in the box in the fifth inning, Lisa Rozanski earned her second hit of the day with a double near the warning track in left center field. She stole third base, her 30th of the season just before Pennock walked. Pennock then stole second, the 66th in her career. Rozanski tried to score but was thrown out at home as Alicia Barkley reached on a fielder's choice for the second out. With two left on, Ball State was unable to score another run.
Bases loaded for the Bobcats in their half of the inning with one out, after two hits and an error. Milian replaced Laura Masch in the circle during the inning. Masch finished with one strikeout in four and a third innings. Wilczynski sent a ground ball back to Natalie Bejarano for the force out at home, preventing any runs. However, a hit down the left field line brought in two, allowing Ohio to take control 3-1.
In the top of the sixth, the first two Cardinal batters struck out. Wilczynski, who finished 3-for-4, ignited a comeback with a single and advanced to second on a fielding error. Jen Moore pinch hit and also singled. In her only at bat in the game, Milian pinch hit as well, notching a game-tying double for two RBI.
Ball State contained Ohio in the bottom of the sixth, allowing no hits. The Cardinals broke away in the top of the seventh, scoring four runs. Besides reaching on an error and a walk, Collins singled, Wilczynski doubled and Kamilah Holle logged her first career triple to give the team a 7-3 lead.
Milian closed the game, striking out two and catching a line drive back in the circle for her 19th win, the most in a single season in her career. She gave up one run and struck out four batters, accumulating 185 on the year.
The Cardinals round out MAC play at the BSU Softball Complex against Miami May 2-3. The first game begins 2 p.m. Saturday. Sunday's 1 p.m. game is also Senior Day for Ball State's six seniors: Natalie Bejarano, Tiffany Garofano, Katelyn Gunderson, Kamilah Holle, Laura Masch and Allie Pennock. Both games will be aired on local broadcast channel WCRD 91.3 FM, and live stats will be available.
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