Softball Drops Pair of Heartbreakers on Day 2 of Louisiana Classics

LAFAYETTE, La. - - The pitching was there and the offense came up with some timely hits, but the Ball State softball team fell victim to some untimely errors in losses to No. 11 Louisiana and Southern Miss Saturday evening on the second day of play in the 31st Annual Louisiana Classics at Lamson Park.

One season after falling to the then-11th ranked Ragin's Cajuns (4-0) by a score of 22-4 (5), the Cardinals (1-3) gave the tournament hosts nearly everything they could handle in a 7-4 setback Saturday. Ball State looks poised to win the game, leading 3-1 after five innings, but Louisiana scored six runs (three earned) over the final two innings to pick up their second come-from-behind victory of the day.

The nightcap saw the Cardinals looking to avenge Friday's 8-1 loss to Southern Miss (2-2) in what turned into a pitchers' duel. Unfortunately, after Ball State took a 2-1 lead in the top of the seventh, the Golden Eagles score a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame with the game-winner coming home on an error.

The Ball State softball team looks to rebound from Saturday's losses at 10 a.m. ET / 9 a.m. CT Sunday, when it squares off against Iowa State in its final game of the Louisiana Classics.

Fans can listen to the game live online with Mick Tidrow calling the action for BallStateSports.com and SL Digital starting with the pregame show at 9:45 a.m. ET / 8:45 a.m. CT.

GAME 1: No. 11 Louisiana 7 – Ball State 4
The Ball State softball team gave 11th-ranked Louisiana everything it could handle in Saturday's opener staring with another strong performance from junior right-handed pitcher Carolyn Wilmes (Evansville, Ind./Matre Dei).

Wilmes limited the potent Ragin' Cajuns offense to just three hits over the first four innings, including retiring the side in order in both the second and fourth innings.

On the flip side, the Cardinals offense came to life early with a three-run spurt in the bottom of the second inning. Sophomore right fielder Madison Lee (Cerritos, Calif./Cerritos) started the rally with a one-out walk. Junior first baseman Danae King (Glendale, Ariz./Phoenix College) followed with her first Ball State home run, depositing a two-run shot over the fence in left field to extend her hitting streak to 38 games.

The Cardinals offense was not done there, as senior left fielder Amanda Arnett (Monroe, Mich./Monroe) made it back-to-back home runs with a solo shot also to left field.

After being held scoreless through four innings, the Louisiana offense was able to capitalize on a Ball State error and a RBI groundout to cut the Cardinals' lead to 3-1 in the top of the fifth inning.

The Ragin' Cajuns followed with four more runs, all with two outs, in the top of the sixth to take their first lead of the game at 5-3.

Junior shortstop Brittany Hopper (Scottsdale, Ariz./Phoenix College) opened the home half of the sixth with a leadoff single. Three batters later, an error on an Arnett fly to right field allowed pinch runner Tara Morey (New Palestine, Ind./New Palestine) to score from first to bring the Cardinals back within one.

Unfortunately, the host Ragin' Cajuns tallied a two-run home run in the top of the seventh and retired the Cardinals in order in the bottom of the inning to secure the 7-4 victory.

Wilmes finished the game allowing just three hits and three runs (two earned) over 5.0 innings of work. She also struck out four of the 23 batters she faced. Sophomore Aeshia Miles (Lawrenceville, Ga./Collins Hill) took the loss, allowing four runs (two earned) over 2.0 innings, while striking out two.

GAME 2: Ball State 1 – Southern Miss 1
Freshman pitcher Darcie Huber (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield Central) looked nearly untouchable in Saturday's nightcap, holding Southern Miss to four hits and a pair of runs over 6.0 innings of work. In just her second collegiate start, Huber struck out four Golden Eagles and retired 11 straight batters from the second through fifth innings.

The Cardinals wasted little time breaking onto the scoreboard as junior second baseman Maddy Labrador (Lexington, S.C./Spartanburg Methodist) opened the game with a walk. Two batters later freshman designated player Janae Hogg (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) moved Labrador up a base with a groundout to third.

The play proved critical, as Hopper followed with her first Ball State RBI, slicing a single down the left field line to give Ball State a 1-0 lead.

Southern Miss responded with a run of its own in the bottom of the first, before both pitchers took control of the game.

After five scoreless innings, the Cardinals capitalized on a two-out single by Lee in the top of the seventh inning. After Lee moved to second on a wild pitch, Morey entered the game once again to pinch run. King followed with a four pitch walk, but finished the game 0-for-2 from the plate to see her impressive hitting streak come to an end at 38 games.

Arnett would give Ball State a 2-1 lead in the next at bat, slicing a RBI single through the right side to plate the go-ahead run.

Southern Miss opened the bottom of the seventh with a single and put a pair of runners in scoring position as the Cardinals misplayed a sacrifice bunt attempt. A RBI single would tie the score, but the Cardinals looked to get out of trouble as the second runner tripped heading home and was tagged out.

Unfortunately, the batter moved to second on the play, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on an errant throw to third to help Southern Miss escape with a 3-2 win.

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 –

Softball Drops Pair of Heartbreakers on Day 2 of Louisiana Classics

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Team Stats

Amanda Arnett

Brittany Hopper

Danae King

Kennedy Wynn

Players Mentioned

Amanda Arnett

Janae Hogg

Brittany Hopper

Darcie Huber

Danae King

Maddy Labrador

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Tara Morey

Carolyn Wilmes

Players Mentioned

Amanda Arnett

Janae Hogg

Brittany Hopper

Darcie Huber

Danae King

Maddy Labrador

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Tara Morey

Carolyn Wilmes