Softball Falls Run Short in Extra Inning Thriller vs. Ohio

Wednesday, May 8

Akron, Ohio / Firestone Stadium

6 p.m.

Ball State University

34-19

Ohio

32-19

Ball State

Ohio

Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services

Softball Falls Run Short in Extra Inning Thriller vs. Ohio

May 08, 2019 | Softball

Box Score

AKRON, Ohio - - The Ball State softball team got a pair of strong pitching performances and a big hit from another pitcher turned outfielder, but ultimately fell a run short in a 3-2 extra-inning loss to Ohio in its opening game of the 2019 Mid-American Conference Softball Championship.

In the circle, senior pitcher Aeshia Miles started the game strong for the Cardinals (34-19), holding the Bobcats (32-19) off the board over the first 4.1 innings. Unfortunately, the MAC's leading home run team came up with a big second at bat in the fifth, pulling ahead 1-0 on a solo shot to left field.

Ohio added another run in the bottom of the sixth inning, putting runners on second and third with one out aided by a Ball State error. The Bobcats then used a successful squeeze bunt to pull ahead 2-0.

The hosts on the scoreboard would use another squeeze play to load the bases before Ball State junior closer Alyssa Rothwell struck out back-to-back batters to end the inning and strand bases loaded.

The Ohio defense returned the error to open the top of the seventh inning as the shortstop misplayed a slow grounder to allow senior first baseman Annie Robinson to reach base. The Cardinals then turned to freshman pinch runner Kim Manual for some speed at first.

It turns out her speed was not needed, as freshman center fielder Sarah Venker deposited an 0-1 pitch over the fence in left field to even the score at 2-2. It was Venker's second two-run home run of the season, as she also hit a big blast in Ball State's come-from-behind 6-5 win at Mercer (March 16).

From there, the Cardinals were able to force extra innings, only to see the Bobcats score the winning run on a two-out walkoff single down the left field line in the bottom of the eighth.

Over her 5.1 innings of work, Miles limited the Bobcats to just four hits and a pair of runs. She also struck out four batters. Rothwell held Ohio to just one hit over her 2.1 innings of work while striking out a pair of batters.

In addition to Venker's home run, Robinson added a two-out single in the second for the Cardinals first hit of the game. Freshman pinch hitter Trinity Eckerty added a one-out single in the fifth, while sophomore third baseman Stacy Payton open the eighth inning with a single to left for Ball State's fourth and final hit of the game.

The Ball State softball team will look to fend off elimination Thursday at 6 p.m. when it battles second-seeded Kent State in the final game of the second day of the tournament.

With inclement weather in the forecast for tomorrow, stay tuned to the Ball State softball twitter account (@BallStateSB) and the MAC Softball Championship website (https://getsomemaction.com/tournaments/?id=116&path=softball) for any schedule updates.

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