Softball Takes EMU Series with Saturday Split

MUNCIE, Ind. – It was a tale of two games Saturday afternoon at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex, as the Ball State softball team earned a dominating 9-0 (5 inn.) win over Eastern Michigan in the opener, before suffering a 1-0 setback in the series finale.

Despite the split, the Cardinals earned their fifth Mid-American Conference series victory of the season and remain atop the league standings with an 11-4 MAC record. Ball State is now 27-20 on the year.

Freshman pitcher Alyssa Rothwell (Ashville, Ohio/Teays Valley) got the Cardinals off to a hot start in Saturday's opener, striking out the first two batters she faced and retiring the Eagles (15-25, 3-12 MAC) in order to set the tone. She would go on to earn the pitching victory by limiting EMU to one hit over 4.0 innings of work. She improved to 5-2 and claimed her second combined shutout of the year. She also struck out four batters while issuing just two walks.

Ball State's offense followed with an explosive bottom half of the first, scoring five runs on three hits and an Eastern Michigan error. Freshman left fielder Haley Dominique (Oregon, Ohio/Clay) was hit by the first pitch of the frame, while senior center fielder Rachel Houck (Greenfield, Ind./Louisville) reached on an Eagles error to give Ball State a pair of base runners. Freshman third baseman Janae Hogg (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) followed with a single to left field, loading the bases for junior second baseman Maddy Labrador (Lexington, S.C. / Spartanburg Methodist) who walked to bring in the game's first run.

Sophomore designated player Madison Lee (Cerritos, Calif./Cerritos) followed with her first of three hits in the game, a RBI single to left field. Junior first baseman Danae King (Glendale, Ariz./Phoenix College) gave Ball State a 3-0 lead with a sacrifice fly to right field, while a double from freshman right fielder Kennedy Wynn (New Albany, Ind./New Albany) plated the final two runs of the inning.

After Rothwell retired EMU in order again in the top of the second, the Cardinals extended their lead to 7-0 with two more runs in the bottom of the frame. Houck started the rally with her league-leading 16th double of the season, while a walk to Hogg and a Labrador fielder's choice gave Ball State runners on the corners with two outs.

Labrador would then steal second, while a wild throw from the EMU catcher allowed Houck to cross the plate for Ball State's sixth run of the game. Lee followed with a double to center field for her second RBI hit of the contest.

Ball State scored its final two runs of the game in the bottom of the third with a little help from another Eastern Michigan error. Junior pinch hitter Cadie O'Donnell (Salina, Kan./Barton C.C.) opened the inning by legging out an infield single, while Hopper followed with a single to left field. After a one-out walk to Dominique loaded the bases, a fielder's choice by Houck led to a force play at home for the second out of the inning.

Eastern Michigan looked to escape without giving up a run on a pop to shallow right field, but the EMU second baseman dropped the catch allowing both Hopper and Dominique to cross the plate. She was able to recover, however, getting the ball and throwing to third for the final out.

From there, it was all Ball State pitching as Rothwell retired three of the four batters she faced in the fourth, while freshman Darcie Huber (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield Central) retired EMU in order in the fifth to end the game. The final out was a strikeout for Huber who factored in her second combined shutout of the season.

In Saturday's second game, the Cardinals and Eagles battled through sixth scoreless innings with both pitchers dominating in the circle. Junior Carolyn Wilmes (Evansville, Ind./Matre Dei) earned the start for Ball State, striking out a career-high 10 batters over 6.0 innings of work. She allowed just three hits over the first six innings in her second start of the series before giving way to sophomore reliever Aeshia Miles (Lawrenceville, Ga./Collins Hill).

Unfortunately, the Eagles opened the top of the seventh with a double just inside the right field line and were able to bring home what proved to be the game-winning run on a two-out infield single.

Labrador looked to even the score in the top of the seventh, but her shot to deep center field found the top of the fence and stayed in the park for a single. King followed with a one-out single to right field, giving the Cardinals a pair of base runners. However, the walk-off magic was not there for Ball State Saturday evening, as a pop up to short and a fly out to right ended the game.

The Ball State softball team returns to action Friday, when opens its final home series of the 2017 season with a scheduled 3 p.m. first pitch versus Toledo. The Cardinals and Rockets are also scheduled to play a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday which will serve as senior day for Ball State.

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

Madison Lee

Rachel Houck

Janae Hogg

Danae King

Players Mentioned

Haley Dominique

Janae Hogg

Rachel Houck

Darcie Huber

Danae King

Maddy Labrador

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Cadie O'Donnell

Alyssa Rothwell

Carolyn Wilmes

Kennedy Wynn

Players Mentioned

Haley Dominique

Janae Hogg

Rachel Houck

Darcie Huber

Danae King

Maddy Labrador

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Cadie O'Donnell

Alyssa Rothwell

Carolyn Wilmes

Kennedy Wynn