Softball Tops Stetson 4-1 For Sixth Straight Win

Friday, March 9

Deland, Fla.

6:30 p.m.

Ball State University

12-6

Stetson

12-7

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Stetson	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	6	0
Ball State	2	0	0	0	2	0	X	4	7	0

Five-Run Fifth Leads Softball To Win Over ETSU

March 10, 2012 | Softball

Box Score

By: Ball State Athletics

DELAND, Fla. - - Sophomore first baseman Taylor Rager (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) drove in the first two runs of the game and senior pitcher Kim Mazzapica (Palm Harbor, Fla./East Lake) took over from there, as the Ball State softball team scored a 4-1 victory over Stetson in its second game Friday at the Stetson Classic at Patricia Wilson Field.

Ball State, which improved to 12-6, has won its last six games and is now 7-2 on its 12-game spring break trip to Florida. Stetson falls to 12-7 with the loss.

Rager provided all the run support Mazzapica would need in the bottom of the first, driving a two-run double to left-center field. She would finish the game 2-for3 with a pair of RBI.

Both of the Cardinals longest hitting streaks were also extended in the contest, as senior designated player Amanda Montalto (Las Vegas, Nev./Palo Verde) went 1-for-2 with a walk and freshman right fielder Hanne Stuedemann (Mattawan, Mich./Mattawan) with 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored. Montalto has now recorded a hit in the last 11 games, while Stuedemann extends her streak to nine.

Mazzapica improved to 6-1 on the year by limiting the Hatters to one run and six hits over seven innings. She also struck out three batters.

With BSU serving as the home team on Stetson's field in tournament action, a single from Stuedemann and a Montalto walk put runners on first and second for Rager in the bottom of the first. Rager responded with what ended up being the game-winning hit, blasting a two-run double to left-center field.

The Cardinals picked up two more runs in the bottom of the fifth, when a single from junior catcher Sadie Robertson (Fenton, Mo./Rockwood Summit) sparked a rally. With senior Alison Mercado (Perris, Calif./Arizona Western) in to pinch run, sophomore left fielder Jennifer Gilbert (McKinney, Texas/McKinney) smashed a double to right center to drive the runner in from first. Stuedemann followed with an RBI single to five BSU a 4-0 edge. The Cardinals managed to load the bases with two outs, but a strikeout ended the threat.

Stetson picked up its lone run in the top of the sixth, as a two-out single to right center from Demi Meza drove in Chrissy Morello who singled with one out.

Meredith Owen suffered the loss for the Hatters, falling to 6-4 on the year after giving up four runs and seven hits over six innings. She would strike out six Ball State batters.

The Cardinals will play a pair of games Saturday at the Stetson Classic, taking on Northern Colorado (1:30 p.m.) and Youngstown State (4 p.m.). BSU closes out the tournament and its spring break trip Sunday with a scheduled 10 a.m. first pitch against Stetson.