Delaware Slips Past Softball in Final At Bat

KISSIMMEE, FLA. - - It was a rough afternoon for the Ball State softball team, which suffered a pair of losses on the second day of the Citrus Classic II played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Despite holding a 12-9 advantage in hits, the Cardinals (10-5) opened the day with a hard-fought 6-5 loss to Delaware. In a game that came down to the final at bat, the Blue Hens (2-9) used a bases loaded walk with two outs in the bottom seventh to secure the victory.

In exhibition play, the Cardinals closed the afternoon with a 9-3 loss to the Czech Republic women's national team.

It was another solid morning at the plate for Ball State leadoff hitter Haley Dominique who went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and two runs scored versus Delaware.

The reigning MAC West Division Player of the Week, Dominique has been on fire over the last eight games, batting .500 (14-for-28), with three doubles, a triple and two home runs. She also has a team-high 11 RBI and has scored a team-best six runs during the span, while drawing six walks.

After a pair of scoreless innings, Dominique opened the third with a single up the middle. Following a pair of outs, sophomore first baseman Janae Hogg's second of three hits in the game gave the Cardinals a pair of base runners. Sophomore right fielder Kennedy Wynn followed with a RBI single through the right side to bring home the game's first run.

After Delaware responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning, Ball State continued to carry the hot hand in the fourth inning, putting three runs on the scoreboard. Freshman third baseman Stacy Payton started the rally with her second of three singles in the game, while junior catcher Olivia Huffman followed with a single up the middle to advance freshman pinch runner Taylor Castleberry to second.

Following a fielder's choice, which forced out the lead runner, Dominique sliced an RBI single to left-center field to even the score at 2-2. Freshman shortstop Hailey Demnianiuk followed with a single to right field, loading the bases for the Cardinals.

Two batters later, Hogg smacked an two-run single down the left field line to give Ball State a brief 4-2 edge.

Delaware battled back to tie the score with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning, only to have the Cardinals capitalize on a fielding error to pull ahead once again in the fifth. Junior designated player Madison Lee reached on the error to open the inning and moved to second on a one-out walk to Huffman.

Dominique followed with her second RBI hit in as many innings, blasting a double down the right field line to plate Lee.

Once again, the Blue Hens battled back to tie the score with a run in the bottom of the inning, capitalizing on a Ball State throwing error on a pickoff attempt at third.

After a scoreless sixth inning, Payton led off the seventh with a single and advanced to second on a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt from Huffman. Unfortunately, she would be stranded there as a fly out, walk to Dominique and strikeout ended the inning.

Ball State looked poised to force extra innings, as sophomore pitcher Alyssa Rothwell struck out two of the first four batters she faced. However, with a pair of runners on, Rothwell issued back-to-back walks, allowing Delaware to escape with the 6-5 victory.

The Ball State softball team closes play in the Citrus Classic II Sunday, with a scheduled 9 a.m. first pitch versus Niagara.

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

Janae Hogg

Stacy Payton

Hailey Demnianiuk

Players Mentioned

Taylor Castleberry

Hailey Demnianiuk

Haley Dominique

Janae Hogg

Olivia Huffman

Madison Lee

Stacy Payton

Alyssa Rothwell

Kennedy Wynn

Players Mentioned

Taylor Castleberry

Hailey Demnianiuk

Haley Dominique

Janae Hogg

Olivia Huffman

Madison Lee

Stacy Payton

Alyssa Rothwell

Kennedy Wynn