Softball Drops Pair of Tough Tuesday Games

FORT MYERS, Fla. - - The Ball State softball team resumed its spring break trip with a pair of tough losses Tuesday evening, falling to FIU, 6-2, and FGCU, 3-1, at the FGCU Softball Complex.

The Cardinals (7-14) had chances to tie the score in both contests, but could not come up with hits in key situations leaving seven stranded on base in the opener versus the Panthers (17-6) and nine stranded on base in the nightcap against the host Eagles (12-9).

Senior pitcher Carolyn Wilmes (Evansville, Ind./Mater Dei) turned in a solid performance against the Eagles, allowing five hits and a pair of earned runs over 6.0 innings of work. She also struck out five batters.

Senior center fielder Rachel Houck (Greenfield, Ind./Louisville) led the Ball State offense with a pair of hits on the day, including her fifth home run over spring break to drive in both Cardinals' runs against FIU.

The Ball State softball team closes its two-day stay at FGCU Wednesday, with a 2:30 p.m. contest versus Holy Cross.

GAME 1 RECAP: FIU 6 – Ball State 2
In her first career start, freshman pitcher Alyssa Rothwell (Ashville, Ohio/Teays Valley) held FIU to just seven hits and four runs but Ball State's offense could not get going in a 6-2 loss to the Panthers (17-6).

FIU struck early, scoring a run in the bottom of the first off a leadoff triple and a one-out wild pitch. However, Rothwell and the Ball State defense bounced back getting an inning-ending double play on a pop to sophomore second baseman Aeshia Miles (Lawrenceville, Ga./Collins Hill) and a rundown on the runner at third.

The Panthers added three more runs in the bottom of the second, pulling ahead 4-0. A one-out RBI triple and back-to-back two-out bases loaded singles brought home the runs.

Ball State finally broke through for its first two hits in the top of the fourth, courtesy of one-out singles from freshman left fielder Kennedy Wynn (New Albany, Ind./New Albany) and sophomore left fielder Madison Lee (Cerritos, Calif./Cerritos). Unfortunately, the Cardinals left the runners stranded after back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning.

The Cardinals had another chance to get back into the game with bases loaded and two outs in the top of the sixth. Houck opened the inning with a walk, and two outs later Lee walked and junior first baseman Danae King (Glendale, Ariz./Phoenix College) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Unfortunately, another strikeout ended the inning.

FIU extended its lead to 6-0 in the top of the sixth, courtesy of a two-run home run by Stephanie Texeira. The Cardinals got the two runs back in the top of the seventh, courtesy of a leadoff single by junior Cadie O'Donnell (Salina, Kan./Barton CC) and a two-out home run from Houck. However, FIU would get the next batter out to win the game 6-2.

Rothwell struck out one batter over her 5.0 innings of work. Miles entered the game to pitch the sixth, allowing two hits and a pair of runs while striking out one.

GAME 2 RECAP: FGCU 3 – Ball State 1
The Eagles opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning, capitalizing on a bases loaded error by the Cardinals to score the game's first run.

Ball State answered with a run in the top of the fourth, tying the score at 1-1. Junior first baseman Danae King (Glendale, Ariz./Phoenix College) started the rally with a one-out single, while pinch runner O'Donnell advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from junior shortstop Brittany Hopper (Scottsdale, Ariz./Phoenix College).

After sophomore catcher Olivia Huffman (Woodbury Minn./South Dakota) drew a walk to give Ball State a pair of base runners, freshman left fielder Haley Dominique (Oregon, Ohio/Clay) earned her first career RBI with a two-out single up the middle. Unfortunately, the Cardinals could not capitalize with runners at the corners as a strikeout ended the inning.

FGCU managed to get the run back in the bottom of the fifth, capitalizing on a wild pitch to score what proved to be the game-winning run. The Eagles added a sacrifice fly in the sixth to give the game its final score of 3-1.

The Cardinals tried to mount a two-out rally in the top of the seventh on a two-out double from Houck and a walk to freshman third baseman Janae Hogg (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral). Unfortunately a strikeout ended the game.

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 –

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Team Stats

Rachel Houck

Kennedy Wynn

Madison Lee

Cadie O'Donnell

Players Mentioned

Haley Dominique

Janae Hogg

Brittany Hopper

Rachel Houck

Olivia Huffman

Danae King

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Cadie O'Donnell

Alyssa Rothwell

Carolyn Wilmes

Kennedy Wynn

Players Mentioned

Haley Dominique

Janae Hogg

Brittany Hopper

Rachel Houck

Olivia Huffman

Danae King

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Cadie O'Donnell

Alyssa Rothwell

Carolyn Wilmes

Kennedy Wynn