Softball’s Rally Falls a Run Short at No. 8 Louisiana

LAFAYETTE, La. - - Led by a 3-for-3 night from junior catcher Stacy Payton, the Ball State softball team took the nation's eighth-ranked team Louisiana to the wire Friday night, suffering a 3-2 loss on the opening day of the Louisiana Classics at Lamson Park.

Trailing 3-1 entering the top of the seventh, the Cardinals (0-2) used a single from junior pinch hitter Katie Janiga and a walk to sophomore pinch hitter Faith Hensley to put pressure on the Ragin' Cajuns (1-0). Two batters later, Payton followed with her third hit of the game, an RBI single down the right field line to cut the gap to one run.

After an error allowed senior left fielder Haley Dominique to load the bases, Ball State looked poised to even the score. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be as a foul fly and strikeout allowed the hosts to escape with the win.

Earlier in the day, the Cardinals used a solo home run from Payton and a two-run shot from junior Kendall Fields in the first inning to jump out to an early 3-0 lead over UTSA.

Ball State continued to hold a two-run lead, at 4-2, heading into the seventh inning. However, the Road Runners (1-0) countered with three runs in the bottom of the frame to claim the come-from-behind victory.

FRIDAY NOTES:
- Junior catcher Stacy Payton led the Ball State offense, going 4-for-7 on the day with a double and home run. Her blast to left-center field in the top of the first against UTSA was the 13th of her collegiate career.

- Senior pitcher Alyssa Rothwell entered the 2020 season poised to break the NCAA career saves record, posting 28 saves over her first three seasons as the team's closer. Friday, however, she started both games and threw a combined 7.0 innings, going 3.0 vs. UTSA and 4.0 against No. 8 Louisiana. She struck out nine batters during her time in the circle, while allowing just four earned runs.

- Junior right fielder Kendall Fields tallied her 10th career home run with her two-run blast in the first inning versus UTSA. Of her 10 career home runs, seven have been two-run blasts.

- Junior outfielder Katie Janiga had a clutch pinch hit appearance against No. 8 Louisiana, as she led off the top of the seventh with a single to center field and later scored a run to cut the ULL lead to one run at 3-2.

- Freshman third baseman Haley Wynn registered her first career hit with a single up the middle in the second inning versus UTSA. Wynn finished her high school career as the state of Wisconsin's all-time leader in career hits (204) and career runs scored (192).

- Another freshman who had a strong debut; pitcher Deborah Jones who held No. 8 Louisiana hitless over her 2.0 innings of relief work.

- The Cardinals also had several big plays on defense on the day, with the biggest coming in the fourth inning vs. No. 8 Louisiana. With one out, runners on the corners and ULL having already scored a pair of runs in the inning, senior second baseman Gabby Magnifico made a diving grab on a hard liner and was able to get up and tag the runner going to second for an inning-ending double play.

UP NEXT:
The Ball State softball team will look to rebound Saturday, when it faces Prairie View A&M (2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT) and McNeese (4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT) as part of the Cowgirl Classic hosted by McNeese at Cowgirl Diamond in Lake Charles, La.

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

Softball’s Rally Falls a Run Short at No. 8 Louisiana

Next Event

Team Stats

Haley Wynn

Stacy Payton

Haley Dominique

Janae Hogg

Players Mentioned

Haley Dominique

Kendall Fields

Faith Hensley

Katie Janiga

Deborah Jones

Gabby Magnifico

Stacy Payton

Alyssa Rothwell

Haley Wynn

Players Mentioned

Haley Dominique

Kendall Fields

Faith Hensley

Katie Janiga

Deborah Jones

Gabby Magnifico

Stacy Payton

Alyssa Rothwell

Haley Wynn