Make it 10-0 in #MACtion For Softball After Friday Sweep of Kent State

MUNCIE, Ind. - - Ball State softball's Friday doubleheader versus Kent State at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex had a little bit of everything.

Strong pitching, amazing fielding, timely hitting and some big blasts. End the end, however, it was a familiar tune; a doubleheader sweep for the Cardinals to improve to 16-9 overall and an even more impressive 10-0 in Mid-American Conference play.

In a battle of two of the league's most dominating offenses, the opening game turned out to be a pitcher's duel. The winner, Ball State sophomore hurler Deborah Jones who limited the Golden Flashes (11-16; 8-6 MAC) to four hits in her first complete game shutout of the season. She also struck out a pair of KSU batters to improve to 6-2 on the year.

In the nightcap, it was Ball State's offense which dominated thanks in part to four home runs, including two from senior designated player Delanie Johnson.

Johnson actually led the offense on the day, going 5-for-6 with two home runs and a team-high four RBI. She was almost a perfect 6-for-6, but Kent State's left fielder Alexis Taube robbed her of what would have been a walk-off three-run blast in the sixth inning of the nightcap, bring back what would have been Johnson's third home run of the game with a leaping snow cone catch.

Not to be lost in the nightcap, the effort of junior pitcher Tieghan Morio who turned in another brilliant performance for the Cardinals. She held the KSU offense which entered the weekend averaging 7.83 runs per game in league play to just two runs and seven hits. Morio also collected four strikeouts to improve to 6-2 on the year.

With wet weather in the forecast for the remainder of the weekend, the Cardinals and Golden Flashes will attempt to play a 10a doubleheader Saturday. While there is no general public attendance at this year's Ball State softball home games, fans can still follow the action with live stats and free live video on BallStateSports.com.

GAME 1 RECAP: Ball State 1 - Kent State 0
With Jones dealing in the circle, all it was going to take was one or two big hits for the Cardinals. Those came in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The first, freshman shortstop Kayla Lissy's MAC-leading fourth double of the season to open the frame. Sophomore third baseman Haley Wynn followed with an RBI double to nearly the same spot in right-center field to drive in the game's only run.

GAME 2 RECAP: Ball State 7 - Kent State 2
The second game started with Kent State scoring the first run in the top of the first, courtesy of a two-out RBI double from Taube.
The Cardinals would not trail for long, however, as Johnson and junior second baseman Amaia Daniel blasted back-to-back solo home runs in the bottom of the second.

The Golden Flashes were able to tie the game in the top of the third after using a little small ball to push a runner to third and eventually across the plate on a two-out single.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the fourth when junior Faith Hensley deposited her fourth home run of the season over the fence in right-center field.

Ball State would use a little small ball of its own to push an early insurance run across in the bottom of the sixth. Senior right fielder Haley Dominique opened the inning with a four-pitch walk.

Enter senior pinch runner Katie Janiga who moved to second on a sac bunt from senior first baseman Janae Hogg. It was the second successful sac bunt of Hogg's five-year career. Senior catcher Stacy Payton took advantage, smashing an RBI single into center field.

After a single up the middle from Hensley led to runners on second and third, the Cardinals were done with the small stuff. Johnson would drive in three runs in the next at bat with her second home run of the game to cap the scoring.

Make it 10-0 in #MACtion For Softball After Friday Sweep of Kent State

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Team Stats

Haley Wynn

Delanie Johnson

Kayla Lissy

Haley Dominique

Players Mentioned

Amaia Daniel

Haley Dominique

Faith Hensley

Janae Hogg

Katie Janiga

Delanie Johnson

Deborah Jones

Kayla Lissy

Tieghan Morio

Stacy Payton

Haley Wynn

Players Mentioned

Amaia Daniel

Haley Dominique

Faith Hensley

Janae Hogg

Katie Janiga

Delanie Johnson

Deborah Jones

Kayla Lissy

Tieghan Morio

Stacy Payton

Haley Wynn