Sunday, February 10
Fort Myers, Fla.
1:30 p.m.
Ball State University
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FGCU
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Ball State
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Photo by: Tessa Mortensen
Softball Tops FGCU 2-0 To Close Opening Weekend
February 10, 2019 | Softball
FT. MYERS, Fla.- - Led by another strong performance from its pitching staff, the Ball State softball team closed play in the FGCU Kickoff Classic with a 2-0 win over tournament host FGCU Sunday afternoon.
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In her second strong start of the season, redshirt sophomore pitcher Darcie Huber set the tone early for the Cardinals (3-2), limiting the Eagles (4-2) to just two hits over the first five innings to help Ball State avenge Saturday's loss to the tournament host.
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In addition to limiting FGCU to just two hits, Huber struck out five batters to improve to 1-0 on the year. Huber also retired the Eagles in order in the third inning, and after a leadoff bunt single in the fourth, sparked a huge double play to help keep the Eagles off the board.
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With one out in the sixth, junior left fielder Haley Dominique helped start a Ball State offensive rally with her second infield single of the game. Freshman pinch runner Kim Manuel took over from there, showing off her speed by scoring all the way from first on an FGCU throwing error.
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Sophomore shortstop Hailey Demnianiuk was also a beneficiary of the Eagle's miscue, reaching second on the play. Two batters later, sophomore third baseman Stacy Payton smashed an RBIÂ Â double to the right-center field wall giving Ball State the 2-0 lead.
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That was all the run support the Ball State pitching staff would need, as freshman Sarah Venker shut down FGCU in the sixth and junior closer Alyssa Rothwell struck out three of the four batters she faced in the seventh to seal the win.
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In throwing the final inning for the Cardinals, Rothwell picked up her second save of the season to up her career total to 16.Â
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The 16 career saves tie the Mid-American Conference career record originally set by Bowling Green's Jamie Kertes (2012-15). The NCAA career saves record is 32 held by Mississippi State's Kellie Wilkerson (1999-02).
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The Ball State softball team returns to action Friday, when it opens play in the Madeira Beach Invitational with games versus Belmont (9 a.m.) and Monmouth (2 p.m.).
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For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSoftball.
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In her second strong start of the season, redshirt sophomore pitcher Darcie Huber set the tone early for the Cardinals (3-2), limiting the Eagles (4-2) to just two hits over the first five innings to help Ball State avenge Saturday's loss to the tournament host.
Â
In addition to limiting FGCU to just two hits, Huber struck out five batters to improve to 1-0 on the year. Huber also retired the Eagles in order in the third inning, and after a leadoff bunt single in the fourth, sparked a huge double play to help keep the Eagles off the board.
Â
With one out in the sixth, junior left fielder Haley Dominique helped start a Ball State offensive rally with her second infield single of the game. Freshman pinch runner Kim Manuel took over from there, showing off her speed by scoring all the way from first on an FGCU throwing error.
Â
Sophomore shortstop Hailey Demnianiuk was also a beneficiary of the Eagle's miscue, reaching second on the play. Two batters later, sophomore third baseman Stacy Payton smashed an RBIÂ Â double to the right-center field wall giving Ball State the 2-0 lead.
Â
That was all the run support the Ball State pitching staff would need, as freshman Sarah Venker shut down FGCU in the sixth and junior closer Alyssa Rothwell struck out three of the four batters she faced in the seventh to seal the win.
Â
In throwing the final inning for the Cardinals, Rothwell picked up her second save of the season to up her career total to 16.Â
Â
The 16 career saves tie the Mid-American Conference career record originally set by Bowling Green's Jamie Kertes (2012-15). The NCAA career saves record is 32 held by Mississippi State's Kellie Wilkerson (1999-02).
Â
The Ball State softball team returns to action Friday, when it opens play in the Madeira Beach Invitational with games versus Belmont (9 a.m.) and Monmouth (2 p.m.).
Â
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSoftball.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Huber, Darcie (1-0)
L: RANDOLPH, Riley (2-1)
S: Rothwell, Alyssa (2)
Batting:
2B: Payton, Stacy 1
RBI: Payton, Stacy 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Manuel, Kim 1 ; Demnianiuk, Hailey 1
Base Running:
SB: KELLY, Kate 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
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2
RBI
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AB
3
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RBI
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pr/cf
AB
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RBI
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AB
3
R
1
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RBI
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Players Mentioned
INF
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballOF
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
RHP
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