Softball Scores Saturday Sweep in Las Cruces

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - - Led by a pair of game-winning home runs from sophomore slugger Janae Hogg, the Ball State softball team earned a Saturday sweep at the Troy Cox Classic hosted by New Mexico State.

Hogg's first blast came in the bottom of fifth inning of the Cardinals (5-2) 6-5 win over Boston University. After the Terriers (3-3) rallied for three runs in the top of the frame to pull ahead 5-4, a leadoff single from freshman shortstop Hailey Demnianiuk set up Hogg's two-run blast to right field.

In the nightcap, tournament host New Mexico State scored two runs in the top of the third, only to see the Cardinals bats answer with a two-out rally in the bottom of the frame. Sophomore left fielder Haley Dominique started the rally by legging out an infield single to the second base bag.

Senior second baseman Maddy Labrador followed with a two-run blast to right-center field, her second home run of the day, to even the score at 2-2. Hogg then tallied her second game-winning blast, a no doubter to center field off the Aggies (2-2) pitcher.

Hogg finished the day with a team-high four hits, with three in the opener and her home run in the nightcap. She also tallied four RBIs, scored three runs and was hit by a pitch.

Labrador finished the day 3-for-5, with a pair of home runs, a team-high five RBIs and a pair of runs scored. She also drew a walk.

It was also another solid day for the Ball State pitching staff which allowed a combined four earned runs over the two games.

Senior Carolyn Wilmes improved to 3-1 after picking up the victory versus Boston University. Over 5.0 innings of work, she limited the Terriers to six hits and five runs (two earned), while striking out three.

Sophomore Alyssa Rothwell threw the final two innings against Boston University, who went on to defeat two-time defending national champion and top-ranked Oklahoma later in the day. Rothwell earned her first save of the season, and the fourth of her career, after limiting the guests on the scoreboard to just two. She also struck out a batter.

Junior Aeshia Miles followed with her first complete game win of the season, limiting New Mexico State to two runs and seven hits while striking out five. Miles improved to 2-1 on the year with the victory.

The Ball State softball team returns to action Friday (Feb. 23), when it opens play in the ECU Pirate Invitational with games versus Canisius (12:30 p.m.) and tournament host East Carolina (3 p.m.).

GAME ONE RECAP: Ball State 6 – Boston University 5

Boston University took an early 1-0 lead thanks to a back-to-back one out doubles from Madi Killebrew and Alex Heinen in the top of the first inning.

The lead was short-lived, however, as the Cardinals answered with four runs in the bottom of the frame. Dominique opened the inning with a double down the left field line, while Demnianiuk drew a walk to put a pair of runners on base. Hogg followed with her first RBI hit of the day, a single down the left field line.

After a pair of outs, Labrador belted a three-run shot over the fence in left-center field to give the Cardinals a 4-1 advantage.

The Terriers got one run back in the top of the second, before capitalizing on a pair of Ball State defensive miscues for three unearned runs in the top of the fifth to pull ahead 5-4.

Once again, it was a short-lived lead, as a one-out single from Demnianiuk was followed by a two-run homer from Hogg.

Rothwell shut BU down from there, allowing just one hit in both the sixth and seventh innings to earn the save.

GAME TWO RECAP: Ball State 3 – New Mexico State 2

In what was billed as arguably its toughest game of the young season, Ball State and tournament host New Mexico State battled through a pair of scoreless innings early.

The Aggies, who receive votes in both the USA Today/NFCA Top 25 Coaches Poll and the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Poll, opened the scoring in the top of the third with a pair of close plays at the plate.

The first was a RBI double by Fahren Glackin which saw Rachel Rodriguez slide just past the relay throw in from left-center field. The second was on a sacrifice fly which saw Glackin beat the tag on the throw from left by a millisecond.

The Cardinals would not be deterred, however, as they answered with three two-out runs in the bottom of the inning. Dominique started the rally by beating out an infield single to second, while Labrador and Hogg followed with back-to-back home runs to give the Cardinals the lead for good.

Miles controlled play for the Ball State the remainder of the game, limiting the hosts to just three base runners over the final four innings.

The biggest threat came in the top of the sixth on a leadoff double from Caity Szczesny. However, Ball State junior catcher Olivia Huffman was able to exact a little revenge for the close calls earlier, catching Szczesny trying to steal third for a pivotal out in the game.

Miles would then retire the Aggies in order in the top of the seventh to end the game and pick up Ball State's first complete game pitching win of the season.

For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSB.

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Team Stats

Janae Hogg

Maddy Labrador

Haley Dominique

Hailey Demnianiuk

Players Mentioned

Hailey Demnianiuk

Haley Dominique

Janae Hogg

Olivia Huffman

Maddy Labrador

Aeshia Miles

Alyssa Rothwell

Carolyn Wilmes

Players Mentioned

Hailey Demnianiuk

Haley Dominique

Janae Hogg

Olivia Huffman

Maddy Labrador

Aeshia Miles

Alyssa Rothwell

Carolyn Wilmes