Softball Drops Non-Conference Finale at Butler

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.- - Junior designated player Annie Robinson blasted her sixth home run of the season, but the Ball State softball team could not overcome an early eight-run deficit in a 9-3 loss to Butler Wednesday afternoon at the Butler Softball Field.

In its final non-conference game of the regular season, the Cardinals (27-15) fell behind 8-0 early as the host Bulldogs (16-21) scored two runs in the first and six more in the second.

Ball State, which managed to load the bases courtesy of three walks in the third, finally notched its first hit and first run of the game in the top of the fourth thanks to Robinson's one-out blast to left field.

Unfortunately, the Cardinals could not capitalize on a double by sophomore right fielder Kennedy Wynn and a walk to senior infielder/pitcher Brittany Hopper in the next two at bats, stranding two more runners.

Ball State loaded the bases again in the top of the fifth, starting with a single from junior catcher Olivia Huffman who extended her current streak of reaching base safely to a career-high 11 games. Sophomore third baseman Janae Hogg followed with a one-out walk, while freshman infielder Stacy Payton was hit by a pitch for the other two base runners.

After a strikeout, Ball State pushed its second run of the game across the plate on a two-out walk to Wynn. However, like the third, the Cardinals ended up stranding the bases loaded as a pop up to third followed a Butler pitching change.

The Bulldogs regained their seven-run advantage with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the fifth, while a two-out RBI double from Ball State sophomore left fielder Haley Dominique in the top of the sixth capped the scoring.

Freshman infielder Hailey Demnianiuk scored on Dominique's hit after recording an infield single to open the inning and moving to second on a sacrifice bunt.

Overall, the Cardinals managed just five hits in the game, but also drew seven walks to improve its Mid-American Conference-leading walk total to 174 on the year.

Another highlight for the Cardinals was freshman catcher Isabel Moore seeing action for the first time in her career, as she caught the sixth inning for Hopper who was making just her second career pitching appearance.

The Ball State softball team returns to action Friday when it hosts the first game of a three-game league set versus Central Michigan. First pitch for the contest, which will be broadcast live on ESPN+ by Ball State Sports Link, is set for 3 p.m.

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

Players Mentioned

Hailey Demnianiuk

Haley Dominique

Janae Hogg

Brittany Hopper

Olivia Huffman

Isabel Moore

Stacy Payton

Annie Robinson

Kennedy Wynn