Venker, Daniel Lead Comeback Win at Mercer

MACON, Ga.- - Fueled by home runs from freshmen Sarah Venker and Amaia Daniel, the Ball State softball team scored five unanswered runs over the final two innings to pull off a 6-5 come-from-behind victory at Mercer Saturday afternoon in the Mercer Bears Classic.

After a pair of scoreless innings, the Bears (12-17) struck first with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third, only one of which was earned.

The Cardinals (21-10) countered in the top of the fourth, as freshman Trinity Eckerty blasted her second career home run with two outs to cut the Mercer lead to 2-1.

Unfortunately, Mercer responded with three more runs in the home half of the inning to pull ahead 5-1.

Back on offense in the fifth, the Cardinals were able to chip one run off the lead courtesy of a one-out RBI single to left field from sophomore designated player Kendall Fields.

The Bears had a chance to break the game open in the bottom of the fifth, however, loading the bases with no outs on reliever Venker. It was not a problem for Venker, however, as she was able to get a force out at home and back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning.

Venker was not done there, however, as she followed a two-out double by sophomore shortstop Hailey Demnianiuk with her first career home run, a two-run blast to straight away center field, cutting the Mercer lead to 5-4.

After stranding two more Bears on base in the bottom of the sixth, the Cardinals offense went to work again in the seventh sparked by a leadoff single from Fields. BSU turned to sophomore pinch runner Katie Janiga at first, but it turned out her speed was not needed, as Daniel blasted Ball State's second two-run home run in as many innings to give the guests a 6-5 lead.

Mercer had one more chance in the bottom of the seventh, as its first two runners reached base. However, the Cardinals turned to junior reliever Alyssa Rothwell who was able to get a double play on a pop up to sophomore third baseman Stacy Payton for the first two outs of the inning.

Rothwell then forced another pop up, this time in foul territory, to Payton at third to end the game and earn her ninth save of the season.

Venker picked up the win in the circle, improving to 9-2 by holding the Bears to just three hits and no runs in the fifth and sixth innings. She also struck out three batters.

Senior pitcher Aeshia Miles drew the start, striking out six batters while scattering eight hits and five runs, only four of which were earned, over 4.0 innings.

In addition to the big blasts from Eckerty, Venker and Daniel, Demnianiuk led the Cardinals with three hits in the game, while Fields and freshman center fielder Kim Manuel added two each.

The Ball State softball team closes play in the Mercer Bears Classic Saturday with a scheduled 9 a.m. rematch versus Fordham, the only team to beat the Cardinals over the past 11 games.

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

Hailey Demnianiuk

Kendall Fields

Kim Manuel

Haley Dominique

Players Mentioned

Amaia Daniel

Hailey Demnianiuk

Trinity Eckerty

Kendall Fields

Katie Janiga

Kim Manuel

Aeshia Miles

Stacy Payton

Alyssa Rothwell

Sarah Venker

Players Mentioned

Amaia Daniel

Hailey Demnianiuk

Trinity Eckerty

Kendall Fields

Katie Janiga

Kim Manuel

Aeshia Miles

Stacy Payton

Alyssa Rothwell

Sarah Venker