Tuesday, April 27
Muncie, IN
2 p.m.
Ball State University
25-13, 19-3
1
vs
16
Miami
32-7, 22-1
1
2
3
4
5
R
H
E
Miami
6
4
2
2
2
16
16
0
Ball State
0
0
0
0
1
1
6
2
Softball Drops Doubleheader To Miami
April 27, 2021 | Softball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Tuesday was a great day to be a hitter at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.
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With temperatures in the low 80's and the winds gusting out of an already hitter-friendly ballpark at nearly 30 miles-per-hour, there were bound to be some home runs between the Mid-American Conference's top two power-hitting teams.
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Unfortunately, it was all said and down, league-leading Miami blasted six home runs compared to three for Ball State, which helped them pull out a doubleheader sweep by scores of 16-1 (5) and 11-5.
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The Cardinals (25-14, 19-4 MAC) entered the day a game-and-a-half back in the race for the MAC regular season title, and after splitting a twin bill in Oxford, Ohio, last Tuesday, were poised to make some noise.
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Unfortunately, it was the RedHawks (33-7, 23-1 MAC) who would get the first at bat Tuesday, and they were able to set the tone. Miami scored six first-inning runs in the day's opening game and cruised to a 16-1 (5) victory.
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One of the few bright spots in the game, a leadoff home run from redshirt sophomore second baseman Jazmyne Armendariz in the bottom of the fifth.
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Ball State was able to capitalize on that momentum early in the second game, as senior starting pitcher Darcie Huber was able to keep Miami off the board in the top of the first. Then, after a one-out single from freshman shortstop Kayla Lissy in the bottom of the first, senior right fielder Haley Dominique blasted her second home run of the season to center field to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead.
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It was a short-lived lead, however, as Miami struck for four runs in the second and added another in the third to pull ahead 5-1.
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Much like they have done most of the season, 11 times so far in their 19 MAC wins, the Cardinals battled back. Junior center fielder Faith Hensley blasted a two-run shot to left-center in the bottom of the fourth to cut the RedHawks lead to 5-4.
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The Cardinals then used back-to-back one-out singles in the bottom of the fifth from sophomore third baseman Haley Wynn and Lissy, as well as an error on a Dominique fielder's choice, to load the bases. Senior designated player Stacy Payton followed with a sac fly to tie the score.
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It was not meant to be, however, as Ball State could not push any more runs across and Miami countered with a six runs in the seventh to escape with the doubleheader sweep.
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One bright spot for the Cardinals on defense in the nightcap was senior catcher Delanie Johnson who managed to throw out a pair of RedHawks trying to steal second.
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The Ball State softball team returns to action Friday, when it opens senior weekend with a 3 p.m. first pitch versus Toledo. The teams will also play a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday and a single game Sunday at noon.
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Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and resulting department of health guidance, there will be no general public attendance at Ball State softball home games this season. However, this weekend's games will be broadcast on either ESPN3 or ESPN+, and live stats will be available.
Links for all the ways you can follow the action will be available later in the week and can be found on the softball schedule page of BallStateSports.com.
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With temperatures in the low 80's and the winds gusting out of an already hitter-friendly ballpark at nearly 30 miles-per-hour, there were bound to be some home runs between the Mid-American Conference's top two power-hitting teams.
Â
Unfortunately, it was all said and down, league-leading Miami blasted six home runs compared to three for Ball State, which helped them pull out a doubleheader sweep by scores of 16-1 (5) and 11-5.
Â
The Cardinals (25-14, 19-4 MAC) entered the day a game-and-a-half back in the race for the MAC regular season title, and after splitting a twin bill in Oxford, Ohio, last Tuesday, were poised to make some noise.
Â
Unfortunately, it was the RedHawks (33-7, 23-1 MAC) who would get the first at bat Tuesday, and they were able to set the tone. Miami scored six first-inning runs in the day's opening game and cruised to a 16-1 (5) victory.
Â
One of the few bright spots in the game, a leadoff home run from redshirt sophomore second baseman Jazmyne Armendariz in the bottom of the fifth.
Â
Ball State was able to capitalize on that momentum early in the second game, as senior starting pitcher Darcie Huber was able to keep Miami off the board in the top of the first. Then, after a one-out single from freshman shortstop Kayla Lissy in the bottom of the first, senior right fielder Haley Dominique blasted her second home run of the season to center field to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead.
Â
It was a short-lived lead, however, as Miami struck for four runs in the second and added another in the third to pull ahead 5-1.
Â
Much like they have done most of the season, 11 times so far in their 19 MAC wins, the Cardinals battled back. Junior center fielder Faith Hensley blasted a two-run shot to left-center in the bottom of the fourth to cut the RedHawks lead to 5-4.
Â
The Cardinals then used back-to-back one-out singles in the bottom of the fifth from sophomore third baseman Haley Wynn and Lissy, as well as an error on a Dominique fielder's choice, to load the bases. Senior designated player Stacy Payton followed with a sac fly to tie the score.
Â
It was not meant to be, however, as Ball State could not push any more runs across and Miami countered with a six runs in the seventh to escape with the doubleheader sweep.
Â
One bright spot for the Cardinals on defense in the nightcap was senior catcher Delanie Johnson who managed to throw out a pair of RedHawks trying to steal second.
Â
The Ball State softball team returns to action Friday, when it opens senior weekend with a 3 p.m. first pitch versus Toledo. The teams will also play a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday and a single game Sunday at noon.
Â
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and resulting department of health guidance, there will be no general public attendance at Ball State softball home games this season. However, this weekend's games will be broadcast on either ESPN3 or ESPN+, and live stats will be available.
Links for all the ways you can follow the action will be available later in the week and can be found on the softball schedule page of BallStateSports.com.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Courtney Vierstra (17-3)
L: Jones, Deborah (10-5)
Batting:
2B: Allie Cummins 1 ; Mackenzie Moore 1 ; Maclai Branson 1
HR: Adriana Barlow 1 ; Karli Spaid 1 ; Lily Wilmot 1
RBI: Allie Cummins 2 ; Adriana Barlow 3 ; Mackenzie Moore 3 ; Karli Spaid 3 ; Lily Wilmot 3 ; Maclai Branson 1 ; Morgan Lott 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Karlee Juarez 3 ; Holly Blaska 3 ; Allie Cummins 1 ; Adriana Barlow 3 ; Mackenzie Moore 2 ; Karli Spaid 2 ; Lily Wilmot 1 ; Maclai Branson 1
HBP: Adriana Barlow 1
Batting:
2B: Fields, Kendall 1
HR: Armendariz, Jazmyne 1
RBI: Armendariz, Jazmyne 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Armendariz, Jazmyne 1
CS: Wynn, Haley 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
2
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
C/Uti
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballC/Uti
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
C/INF
/ SoftballINF/OF
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