Softball Suffers 4-1 Loss in Series Finale versus Kent State

MUNCIE, Ind.- - The Ball State softball team closed its first home series of the season with a 4-1 loss to Kent State Saturday afternoon in Mid-American Conference play at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.

With the setback, the Cardinals (24-12; 6-3 MAC) suffered their first league series loss of the season. The Golden Flashes (19-14; 5-4 MAC), who won two of this weekend's three games, picked up their second league series victory of the year.

After pounding out 13 hits and drawing 14 walks to close yesterday's doubleheader versus Kent State with a 15-7 (6) win, the Cardinals were limited to just three hits and seven walks in Saturday's game.

One of the hits came from junior designated player Annie Robinson, who leads the Ball State offense with a .500 (10-for-20) average in MAC play. Robinson's four home runs are also tied for the team lead in conference play, while her nine RBI are second.

FROM COACH BARTLETT:
"We didn't have our best stuff today in any facet of the game. Part of that was due to another strong performance from Kent State pitcher Madi Huck. She didn't give in to our hitters all weekend and came up with some big pitches when she needed them.

"We have to get more dialed in and focused. Overall, it was an interesting weekend. We looked tight at the plate, we did not defend well and we did not get the type of performances we are used to on the mound.

"We need to reset and refocus heading into a tough and important midweek doubleheader at Northern Illinois."

BREAKING DOWN THE GAME: Kent State 4 - Ball State 1
• Kent State jumped out to another early lead, as a leadoff single, a sacrifice bunt and a two-out double gave the guests a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first.

• The Cardinals tried to counter in the bottom of the inning, as a pair of walks surrounding a double by Maddy Labrador loaded the bases with two outs. Unfortunately, a fly to left-center field ended the threat.
• Ball State was able to capitalize on a leadoff double from junior right fielder Madison Lee in the bottom of the second, as she came around to score on a two-out bases loaded wild pitch.

• The Cardinals were limited to the game-tying run however, as a fly to right ended the inning and stranded a pair of runners.

• After a pair of scoreless innings, Kent State capitalized on two Ball State defensive miscues to score the go-ahead run with no outs in the fifth. However, Ball State was able to limit the damage to one run with a force out and an inning-ending double play.

• Unfortunately, the Golden Flashes added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth to give the game its final score of 4-1.

• The Cardinals were able to get a base runner in both the sixth and seventh innings courtesy of walks, but a double play in the sixth and three fly outs in the seventh kept the hosts off the scoreboard.

• Junior pitcher Aeshia Miles surrendered 10 hits and four runs (three earned) over 6.0 innings of work. She did manage to strikeout a weekend-high five batters however.

• Sophomore reliever Alyssa Rothwell threw the final inning, retiring three of the four batters she faced including a strikeout.

• Madi Huck earned her second win of the series for Kent State by allowing just three hits and one run over 7.0 innings. She also struck out a pair of Ball State batters while issuing seven walks.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
• While Haley Dominique saw her career-long 12-game hitting streak snapped Saturday, she was still able to draw three walks to extend her current hitting streak of reaching base safely to a career-ling 15 games.

• With her fifth-inning single, Annie Robinson extended her current hitting streak to a career-long seven games, while pushing her streak of reaching base safely to a career-high 12 games.

• Ball State drew a combine 26 walks over the three-game series to raise its season total to 152. The Cardinals entered the weekend ranked first in the conference and 20th nationally with 126 walks on the year.

NEXT UP
The Ball State softball team returns to the road Wednesday for a 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT doubleheader at Northern Illinois. It was originally scheduled as a single game, but switched to a twinbill when Tuesday's games were rained out.

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.

Softball Suffers 4-1 Loss in Series Finale versus Kent State

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Team Stats

Maddy Labrador

Annie Robinson

Madison Lee

Haley Dominique

Players Mentioned

Haley Dominique

Maddy Labrador

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Annie Robinson

Alyssa Rothwell

Players Mentioned

Haley Dominique

Maddy Labrador

Madison Lee

Aeshia Miles

Annie Robinson

Alyssa Rothwell