Bad Bounces Help Lead CMU Past Softball

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – It was an uncharacteristically rough day for the Ball State defense, which committed three errors and had several other miscues which helped Central Michigan open a pivotal Mid-American Conference series with a 6-1 victory Friday afternoon at Margo Jonker Stadium.

With the loss, the Cardinals (29-22; 13-6 MAC) fall one game behind the Chippewas (32-13; 14-5 MAC) in the MAC standings heading into Saturday's 1 p.m. doubleheader at CMU.

With the score deadlocked at 0-0 and two outs in the bottom of the third, a double to left field kept the Chippewas alive in the inning. Ball State looked to get out of trouble with a popup behind the plate, however, the wind took ahold of the ball which dropped just out of reach of the Cardinals' fielders and fell in play for a RBI single as the runner at second was running on contact.

A walk followed, giving CMU a pair of base runners and setting up a two-run double which gave the hosts a 3-0 lead.

Following a scoreless fourth inning, Ball State finally broke through in the top of the fifth for its lone run. Sophomore designated player Madison Lee (Cerritos, Calif./Cerritos) started a rally with a one-out double and was replaced by freshman pinch runner Caitlyn Robinson (Clarksville, Ohio/Clinton-Massie). Junior shortstop Brittany Hopper (Scottsdale, Ariz./Phoenix College) followed with a single to the wall in center field bringing home Robinson from second.

Ball State looked to continue the rally as sophomore catcher Olivia Huffman (Woodbury, Minn./South Dakota) was hit by the next pitch to give the Cardinals a pair of base runners. Unfortunately, a foul out and a strikeout ended the inning and Ball State's best chance to even the game.

Central Michigan would go on to add three more runs in the bottom of the fifth, giving the game its final score of 6-1.

Aside from the two hits in the fifth, Ball State's only other hit in the game was a one-out single from junior second baseman Maddy Labrador (Lexington, S.C./Spartanburg Methodist) in the top of the first.

Junior pitcher Carolyn Wilmes (Evansville, Ind./Matre Dei) suffered the loss in Friday's game, falling to 13-11 on the year after allowing six runs, five of which were earned, over 4.1 innings of work. Sophomore Aeshia Miles (Lawrenceville, Ga./Collins Hill) entered the game in relief, throwing the final 1.1 innings and allowing just one hit while adding a strikeout.

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

Maddy Labrador

Madison Lee

Brittany Hopper

Haley Dominique

Players Mentioned

Brittany Hopper

Olivia Huffman

Maddy Labrador

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Caitlyn Robinson

Carolyn Wilmes

Players Mentioned

Brittany Hopper

Olivia Huffman

Maddy Labrador

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Caitlyn Robinson

Carolyn Wilmes