Ball State University
Alabama-Birmingham
Softball 1-1 in Under Armour Invitational
March 05, 2010 | Softball
Ball State's softball team moved its overall record to 7-5 after splitting its first two games at the Under Armour Invitational hosted by the University of South Florida in Clearwater, Fla. Friday. The Cardinals won their first game against the University of Alabama-Birmingham, 3-2, and lost their second to St. Joseph's University, 2-1.
In the first game against UAB (10-5), the scoreboard was held at zero until the fifth inning when Ball State's Hannah Zimmerman and Amanda Carpenter were batted in by a double hit from Alyssa Collins. Alicia Barkley, the 2009 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, continued the Cardinals' hitting streak with a single base hit followed by a stolen base. Jessie Ware finished the inning by flying out to left field.
Ball State held its 2-0 lead until the top of the seventh when UAB's Martina Landrum and Sallie Van Kirk each rounded the plate to even the game at 2-2.
The Cardinals clinched the win in the bottom of the seventh inning when Alyssa Freiling stole home base on a UAB error and ended the game 3-2.
Ball State's Elizabeth Milian is credited with the win and posted 11 strike outs.
In the second game, Ball State suffered a 2-1 loss to the St. Joseph's University (3-2) Hawks.
St. Joe's jumped ahead early in the second inning when Bernadette Moran scored on a wild pitch by Ball State's Audra Sanders. Also scoring in the second for St. Joe's was Taryn Ashway who was batted in by Dana Parks.
Ball State's sole run came in the fifth inning after St. Joe's Ashway replaced Erin Gallagher on the mound. With the bases loaded, Ashway walked Alicia Barkley sending Amanda Carpenter across home plate. Jessie Ware grounded out to first base to end the inning.
The Hawks' Gallagher is credited with the win, improving her record to 3-2 this season; while Ball State's Sanders moves to 1-3.
The Cardinals (7-5) resume play Saturday at 9:30 a.m. when they take on the Penn State Nittany Lions (11-4). Penn State posted wins against Central Michigan and Florida Golf Coast Friday and is currently undefeated in the Under Armour Invitational. Following the match-up against the Nittany Lions, the Cardinals meet the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at 11:30. Rutgers is also undefeated in the Under Armour Invitational with wins agaist Bradley and Memphis Friday.
