Ball State University
10-12
UCF
15-8
Lee Shines at Top of Lineup in Softball Loss at No. 25 UCF
March 10, 2016 | Softball
ORLANDO, Fla. - - Freshman catcher Madison Lee made her debut at the top of the lineup a good one for the Ball State softball team, drawing two walks and collecting a single, but the Cardinals (10-12) ultimately suffered an 8-0 (5) setback to No. 25 UCF Wednesday night at the UCF Softball Complex.
Lee opened the game by battling for a 10-pitch walk, and never backed down, drawing another walk in the third and singling to right in the fifth against the 25th-ranked Knights (15-8). With her effort at the plate, Lee raised her season batting average to .413 and she currently leads the Ball State offense with a .526 on-base percentage.
After limiting the Cardinals to a walk in the top of the first, the Knights rallied for two runs in the bottom of the inning. UCF looked poised to score more, with runners at the corners, but a solid defensive play from freshman second baseman Becca Rodriguez on a hard liner to her right ended the inning.
Unfortunately, the Knights would add three more runs in the second and two in the third to pull ahead 7-0.
Junior center fielder India Steward tried to spark a two-out rally in the top of the fourth, getting the Cardinals' first hit of the game. Junior first baseman Amanda Arnett was then hit by the next pitch to give Ball State a pair of base runners. However, a groundout back to the pitcher ended Ball State's best chance to score in the game.
UCF went on to score the game's final run on back-to-back one out singles in the fifth.
The Cardinals, who have played an extremely tough schedule with seven of its 12 losses this season coming to ranked teams, returns to action Saturday when it plays both Murray State (9 a.m.) and Jacksonville (2 p.m.) at The Debbie & Fred Pruitt Softball Complex on Jacksonville's campus.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSoftball.
- BallStateSports.com –
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: TURNIER, Shelby (7-8)
L: Wilmes, Carolyn (1-4)
Batting:
SH: Reyna, Selena 1
Base Running:
HBP: Arnett, Amanda 1
Batting:
2B: SOLIS, Brittany 1 ; ROTTON, Courtney 1 ; McCLOSKEY, Samantha 1
RBI: GOODMAN, Linnea 2 ; SOLIS, Brittany 1 ; ROTTON, Courtney 2 ; McCLOSKEY, Samantha 1 ; BREWER, Cassady 1
Base Running:
RUNS: GOODMAN, Linnea 1 ; SOLIS, Brittany 2 ; UJVARI, Jessica 1 ; ACEVEDO, Jasmine 1 ; KALINEN, Willow 2 ; GREENWELL, Megan 1
SB: SOLIS, Brittany 1 ; ACEVEDO, Jasmine 1 ; KALINEN, Willow 2 ; GREENWELL, Megan 1
HBP: UJVARI, Jessica 1
