Softball Rallies Past Holy Cross for Wednesday Win

FORT MYERS, Fla. - - The Ball State softball team rallied from three runs down to end its two-day stay in Fort Myers with a 5-3 victory over Holy Cross Wednesday afternoon at the FGCU Softball Complex.

The Crusaders (2-6) struck for three runs on five hits in the top of the first inning, only to see the Cardinals' (8-14) pitching take control the rest of the game, limiting Holy Cross to just two hits over the final six innings.

Freshman pitcher Alyssa Rothwell (Ashville, Ohio/Teays Valley) earned her first career victory, entering the game in relief in the top of the third inning and holding the Crusaders to just a pair of hits over 4.2 innings of work. She also struck out three batters and retired the side in order in the third and fifth innings.

On offense, senior center fielder Rachel Houck (Greenfield, Ind./Louisville) continued her hot hitting, going a perfect 4-for-4 on the day with four singles and three stolen bases. Freshman right fielder Kennedy Wynn (New Albany, Ind./New Albany) also had a strong day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with her first career triple and a pair of RBIs.

After surrendering three runs in the top of the first, the Cardinals made it a one-run game with a pair of their own in the bottom of the third. Freshman left fielder Haley Dominique (Oregon, Ohio/Clay) started the rally with a one-out single, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Junior second baseman Maddy Labrador (Lexington, S.C./Spartanburg Methodist) drove in Ball State's first run in the inning with a RBI groundout.

Houck continued the rally with her second single through the right side, followed by her second stolen bases. After walks to freshman third baseman Janae Hogg (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) and sophomore left fielder Madison Lee (Cerritos, Calif./Cerritos) loaded the bases, Wynn drove in her first RBI of the game with a single through the left side.

After a scoreless fourth inning, the Cardinals added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 4-3 advantage. Houck opened the inning with her third single and stolen base, before advancing to third on a fly out. Wynn then knotted the score with her first career triple, before coming around to score what proved to be the game-winning run on a RBI single to left from senior first baseman Amanda Arnett (Monroe, Mich./Monroe).

Ball State pushed an insurance run across the plate in the bottom of the sixth, courtesy of Houck's fourth single of the game. Dominique scored on the play after reaching base on a fielder's choice and advancing to second on a groundout to short.

Holy Cross had one last chance to tie the score in the top of the seventh courtesy of a two-out single. However, sophomore Aeshia Miles (Lawrenceville, Ga./Collins Hill) entered the game to pitch and induced a grounder to short to get the force play at second for the game's final out. With the effort, Miles picked up her second career save.

The Ball State softball team returns to action Thursday, when it opens play in the FAU Parents' Weekend Tournament with a schedule 7:15 p.m. first pitch versus the host Owls.

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

Amanda Arnett

Brittany Hopper

Players Mentioned

Amanda Arnett

Haley Dominique

Janae Hogg

Rachel Houck

Maddy Labrador

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Alyssa Rothwell

Kennedy Wynn

Players Mentioned

Amanda Arnett

Haley Dominique

Janae Hogg

Rachel Houck

Maddy Labrador

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Alyssa Rothwell

Kennedy Wynn