Another Big Fourth Inning Leads to Softball Win at Akron

AKRON, Ohio - - Trailing 2-0 after three innings, the Ball State softball team used some more fourth inning magic to rally for a 5-2 victory at Akron Friday afternoon in Mid-American Conference play at Lee R. Jackson Field.

The Cardinals, who have out-scored opponents 57-22 in the fourth inning this season, scored four two-out runs in the frame to take control of the game and improve to 21-10 (3-1 MAC) on the year. The Zips fall to 1-24-1 (0-4 MAC) with their 12th straight loss.

FROM COACH BARTLETT:
"Our hitters did a very good job of staying composed and adjusting from at bat to at bat. They stuck to the process, did not get flustered and were patient until we came up with a couple big hits."

"Madison Lee and Annie Robinson came up huge for us today. Madison hit two deep balls, one that was caught and another that drove in the first two runs of the game. She did a great job being patient and waiting for her pitch.

"Annie came through with an absolutely massive bomb that everyone knew was leaving the park as soon as it came off the bat. She is incredibly strong and continues to stay positive and work hard coming off an injury. Annie continuing to get healthy and continuing to make swing adjustments is going to be important to the program moving forward.

"Any time you are pitching in the kind of elements we played in today, it's tough. Aeshia is a competitor, and while she did not have her best stuff today, she grinded and did not give in to Akron's hitters to come up with another beautiful performance."

BREAKING DOWN THE GAME: Ball State 5 - Akron 2
• The Zips used a little small ball to jump out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning, starting with an infield single, a sacrifice bunt and a passed ball on a strikeout to move a runner to third. A two-out RBI single then gave Akron the first run of the game.

• After a scoreless second inning, the Zips put runners on the corners with one out in the third inning using a pair of singles surrounding another sacrifice bunt. Following a strikeout, the Zips were able to pull off a successful double steal to pull ahead 2-0.

• The Cardinals started the fourth inning with sophomore first baseman Janae Hogg drawing a five-pitch walk and senior second baseman Maddy Labrador being hit by a pitch after just missing a game-tying two-run home run with a foul down the right field line.

• Following a sacrifice bunt from sophomore center fielder Kennedy Wynn to move both runners into scoring position, a two-out double off the top of the wall in right-center field by junior left fielder Madison Lee evened the score at 2-2. It was Ball State's first hit of the game.

• Junior designated player Annie Robinson followed with her first home run in a Ball State jersey, a two-run blast to center field, giving the Cardinals a 4-2 lead.

• The Zips looked to retaliate in the bottom of the fourth, with another leadoff single. However, the next batter popped up a bunt attempt to Ball State pitcher Aeshia Miles, and the Cardinals were able to get a double play out of the miscue. Miles then ended the inning with a strikeout.

• Ball State added an insurance run in the top of the seventh on a one-out triple from sophomore left fielder Haley Dominique, followed by a sacrifice fly to left-center field from Hailey Demnianiuk to cap the scoring at 5-2.

• In another strong performance, Miles picked up her third straight complete game victory by limiting the Zips to nine hits and two runs (one earned) over 7.0 innings of work. She also struck out 10 batters while not using a walk for her fourth straight start.

• Ball State finished the game with five hits, including two doubles, a triple and a home run. Dominique (double & triple) and Lee (double & single) had two hits apiece, while Robinson provided the home run.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
• With her two-run home run in the fourth inning, Annie Robinson became the ninth different Ball State player to hit a home run this season. Ball State and Western Michigan are the only two MAC programs with nine different players to have at least one home run this season.

• Over her last four starts, Aeshia Miles has struck out 24 batters without issuing a single walk. She has also surrendered just 14 hits over the span, with only one being for multiple bases; a double by Akron's Sydney Jascoe on Friday.

• With a double and triple Friday, Haley Dominique extended her current hitting streak to a career-long eight games. She has also reached base safely in each of the last 10 games, which is her second-longest streak of the season.

• While her 10-game hitting streak was snapped Friday, Janae Hogg was still able to draw a walk to reach base safely in each of the past 14 games which ties as the longest streak of her career.

• With four runs in the fourth inning of Friday's win at Akron, the Cardinals have out-scored opponents 57 to 22 in the fourth inning this season.

NEXT UP
The Ball State softball team concludes its three-game MAC series at Akron Saturday with a noon doubleheader at Lee R. Jackson Field.

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

Another Big Fourth Inning Leads to Softball Win at Akron

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Team Stats

Haley Dominique

Madison Lee

Annie Robinson

Hailey Demnianiuk

Players Mentioned

Hailey Demnianiuk

Haley Dominique

Janae Hogg

Maddy Labrador

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Annie Robinson

Kennedy Wynn

Players Mentioned

Hailey Demnianiuk

Haley Dominique

Janae Hogg

Maddy Labrador

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Annie Robinson

Kennedy Wynn