Softball Scores Friday Split in Nashville

NASHVILLE, TENN. - - Led by a 3-for-3 effort at the plate by senior second baseman Maddy Labrador, the Ball State softball team closed the opening day of the Belmont/Tennessee State Invitational with an 11-3 (5) victory over Rhode Island Friday night at TSU's Tiger Field.

Unfortunately, the start of the day was not as nice for the Cardinals (16-9) who rallied for five seventh-inning runs before ultimately suffering a 7-6 (9) loss to host Belmont in its tournament opener.

In the win over the Rams (2-16), Labrador gave the Cardinals an early 3-0 lead with a three-run blast in the bottom of the first inning. After Rhode Island battled back to tie the score at 3-3 in the top of the fourth, Ball State answered with seven runs of their own in the bottom of the frame to take control of the game.

With bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the fifth, junior catcher Madison Lee completed the run rule victory with a RBI single up the middle for her second hit of the game and third of the day.

Overall, six different Cardinals recorded at least one hit in the victory, including junior designated player Annie Robinson who went 2-for-2 and drew a walk.

Senior Carolyn Wilmes picked up the win in the circle, holding the Rams to four hits and three runs over 5.0 innings of work. She also struck out seven batters while issuing just two walks.

In the loss to the Bruins (15-4), the Cardinals trailed 5-0 heading into the seventh inning, only to have a bases loaded walk to freshman shortstop Hailey Demnianiuk and a grand slam from junior first baseman Janae Hogg even the score at 5-5.

After a scoreless eighth inning, Ball State took advantage of the international tiebreaker as junior left fielder Haley Dominique was placed at second, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Demnianiuk and scored on a one-out sacrifice fly from Labrador.

Unfortunately, the hosts answered with a pair of two-out runs in the bottom of the ninth to escape with a 7-6 victory.

Five different Cardinals recorded one hit in the game, while Hogg placed all players with her four RBI.

Sophomore Alyssa Rothwell suffered the loss in the circle despite allowing just three hits and two runs (one earned) over the final 3.2 innings. She also struck out one and did not issue a walk.

Junior Aeshia Miles started the game in the circle, surrendering six hits and five runs over 5.0 innings. She also managed three strikeouts.

The Ball State softball team closes play in the Belmont/Tennessee State Invitational Saturday with games versus co-host Tennessee State (1:15 p.m. ET / 12:15 p.m. CT) and St. Bonaventure (3:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CT).

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
• Janae Hogg's grand slam in the seventh inning versus Belmont was her fourth home run in as many games. It was also her Mid-American Conference leading ninth home run of the season and first career grand slam.

• Janae Hogg leads Ball State's active player with 14 career home runs. The total ranks 12th in program history and is five shy of breaking into the top 10.

• In picking up her 30th career pitching victory versus Rhode Island, Carolyn Wilmes moved into a three-way tie for 10th in program history with Karen Oliver (1988, 90-92) and Melissa Schrader (1993-94). Next up is 33 wins by Kim Mazzapica (2009-12).

• Carolyn Wilmes also struck out seven Rhode Island batters Friday, which raised her career total to 257. The total ranks ninth in program history and is 25 shy of passing Audra Sanders (2010-13) career total of 281 for eighth.

• Freshman shortstop Hailey Demnianiuk had several key at bats for the Cardinals Friday, including a bases loaded walk to bring in the first run versus Belmont. She also drove in a pair of runs in Ball State's seven-run fourth against Rhode Island with a two-run double to left-center field.

• Senior second baseman Maddy Labrador led the Cardinals with five RBI Friday, including a three-run home run in the first inning versus Rhode Island. It was her third home run of the season and the 10th of her Ball State career.

• Junior designated player Annie Robinson had a solid day for the Cardinals, going 3-for-5 at the plate over the two games. She entered the day with just four hits in 21 at bats on the season.

• The Cardinals stole two bases in each game Friday, marking just the second and third times this season Ball State has stole multiple bases in a game. At Belmont, Hailey Demnianiuk stole her team-leading fourth base, while sophomore outfielder Kennedy Wynn picked up her first of the season. Against Rhode Island, senior pinch runner Cadie O'Donnell stole her first base of the season, while freshman center fielder Katie Janiga swiped her second bag of the year.

• Ball State batters continued to show a lot of patience at the plate, earning 15 walks over the two games. Kennedy Wynn led the Cardinals with four free passes on the day, while Janae Hogg earned three.

• Friday's seven-run fourth versus Rhode Island marked the third time this season the Cardinals have scored at least seven runs in the fourth inning. Ball State also scored seven runs in the fourth in a 7-2 win at ECU (Feb 24), while tallying eight fourth-inning runs in an 11-4 win over Canisius (Feb. 25).

• Overall, Ball State is out-scoring opponents 36 to 19 in the fourth inning this 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

Haley Dominique

Hailey Demnianiuk

Janae Hogg

Kennedy Wynn

Players Mentioned

Hailey Demnianiuk

Haley Dominique

Janae Hogg

Katie Janiga

Maddy Labrador

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Cadie O'Donnell

Annie Robinson

Alyssa Rothwell

Carolyn Wilmes

Kennedy Wynn

Players Mentioned

Hailey Demnianiuk

Haley Dominique

Janae Hogg

Katie Janiga

Maddy Labrador

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Cadie O'Donnell

Annie Robinson

Alyssa Rothwell

Carolyn Wilmes

Kennedy Wynn