Saturday, May 15
Buffalo, NY
1 p.m.
Ball State University
35-18, 0
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Buffalo
18-33, 0
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Ball State
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Photo by: Ken Smith, UB Athletics
More Big Innings, Another Softball DH Sweep
May 15, 2021 | Softball
BUFFALO - - Big innings were once again the name of the game for the Ball State softball team, which used a five-run seventh in the opener and a seven-run second in the nightcap to sweep Saturday's doubleheader at Buffalo by scores of 7-4 and 9-0 (5).
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The Cardinals (36-18; 30-8 Mid-American Conference) trailed 4-2 heading into the seventh in the opening game, only to post five runs on the Nan Harvey Field scoreboard to pull out their 21st come-from-behind win of the season.
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While the Bulls (18-34, 16-21 MAC) held Ball State scoreless in the first inning of the nightcap, the Cardinals exploded for seven runs in the second inning, marking the 28th time this season BSU has scored four-or-more runs in an inning. BSU cruised to a 9-0 (5) victory from there.
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Senior center fielder Kennedy Wynn played the role of hero in the opening game, driving in the first run in the top of the seventh with a double, while later coming around to score what proved to be the game-winning run on a two-run double from junior left fielder Faith Hensley.
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In the second game, sophomore pitcher Deborah Jones turned in a dominating performance in her first start since May 30, holding Buffalo to two hits and striking out four to earn her second complete game shutout of the season. With the win, Jones improved to 12-7 on the year.
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Offensively, the Cardinals were led by a three-run home run from junior second baseman Amaia Daniel and freshman shortstop Kayla Lissy's first career grand slam in the seven-run second. Even more impressive, the typically left-handed batting Lissy switched to the right side for the first time this season for the game, including the grand slam.
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Overall, 12 different players logged at least one of BSU's 22 hits on the day, led by a 3-for-4 effort from senior Janae Hogg. In addition, 12 Cardinals scored at least one run, while seven had at least one RBI.
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The Ball State softball team will go for the four-game series sweep of the Bulls Sunday, when it closes the 2021 season with a Noon first pitch at Nan Harvey Field.
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GAME 1 RECAP: Ball State 7 - Buffalo 4
It was an ominous start for the Cardinals, who fell down 2-0 in the bottom of the first thanks to a two-run Buffalo home run.
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However, that was the lone down spot in what turned out to be a brilliant game for senior starting pitcher Darcie Huber, who tied her career high with eight strikeouts over her 4.0 innings of work.
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In fact, eight of Huber's first nine outs came via the strikeout. The only inning she did not strike out a batter was the fourth, when the defense came up with its MAC-leading 24th double play of the season. Overall, Huber allowed just three hits and two runs in the game.
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However, the Cardinals still trailed by two heading into the top of the fifth, but came out of the top half of the inning tied thanks to a two-run triple from sophomore third baseman Haley Wynn.
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Hogg opened the inning with a single, and was replaced by freshman pinch runner Hannah Dukeman. Senior catcher Delanie Johnson followed with an infield single, while a sacrifice bunt from K. Wynn moved both runners into scoring position for H. Wynn.
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Unfortunately, the Bulls countered with two of their own in the bottom of the inning to reclaim the lead at 4-2.
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The score stayed that way until the top of the seventh, when the Cardinals came up with another patented big inning, scoring five in the frame to pull ahead 7-4.
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The rally started with another Hogg single, her third of the game, while senior pinch runner Katie Janiga moved to second on a wild pitch. Following a walk to Johnson, K. Wynn drove in the first run with an RBI double to left-center.
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After a passed ball allowed Johnson to score the game-tying run, H. Wynn walked and Lissy was hit by a pitch load the bases. Hensley made the Bulls pay for the free passes, smashing a two-run double into right field for what proved to be the game-winning RBIs. Two batters later, a sac fly from Payton scored the game's final run.
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Senior closer Alyssa Rothwell, who broke the NCAA Division I career saves record in Friday's win over the Bulls, was credited with the pitching victory Saturday as she threw the final 3.0 innings, allowing just one hit and two runs. She also struck out four more batters on the way to improving to 6-4 on the year.
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GAME 2 RECAP: Ball State 9 - Buffalo 0 (5)
After a scoreless first inning, the Cardinals offense came to life in the top of the second, pouncing for seven runs. Senior right fielder Haley Dominique got the ball rolling with a single through the right side, while Payton added a double to right.
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Junior second baseman Amaia Daniel took advantage of the two runners in scoring position, and then some, blasting her 14th career home run to left-center to give Ball State a 3-0 edge.
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Junior designated player Trinity Eckerty keep the rally going with a single to center field. A walk to redshirt sophomore catcher Jazmyne Armendariz and a hit by pitch for Janiga then loaded the bases.
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Two batters later, Lissy provided some fireworks of her own, blasting the ball out of the park in left-center for her first career grand slam. It was also her first career over-the-fence home run, as her first career round tripper was of the in-the-park variety in the opening game of the March 27 doubleheader versus Bowling Green.
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The Cardinals added an eighth run in the top of the fourth inning courtesy of an RBI groundout to first from Hensley. H. Wynn scored on the play after leading off the inning with a single, moving to second on a passed ball and advancing to third on a wild pitch.
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Ball State's final run came in the top of the fifth on a RBI double from Armendariz which tied the program record for doubles in a season at 100. Senior pinch hitter Gabby Magnifico opened the inning with a single through the left side, while Eckerty followed with her third hit of the game, a double to right field to cap a 3-for-3 effort.
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The Cardinals (36-18; 30-8 Mid-American Conference) trailed 4-2 heading into the seventh in the opening game, only to post five runs on the Nan Harvey Field scoreboard to pull out their 21st come-from-behind win of the season.
Â
While the Bulls (18-34, 16-21 MAC) held Ball State scoreless in the first inning of the nightcap, the Cardinals exploded for seven runs in the second inning, marking the 28th time this season BSU has scored four-or-more runs in an inning. BSU cruised to a 9-0 (5) victory from there.
Â
Senior center fielder Kennedy Wynn played the role of hero in the opening game, driving in the first run in the top of the seventh with a double, while later coming around to score what proved to be the game-winning run on a two-run double from junior left fielder Faith Hensley.
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In the second game, sophomore pitcher Deborah Jones turned in a dominating performance in her first start since May 30, holding Buffalo to two hits and striking out four to earn her second complete game shutout of the season. With the win, Jones improved to 12-7 on the year.
Â
Offensively, the Cardinals were led by a three-run home run from junior second baseman Amaia Daniel and freshman shortstop Kayla Lissy's first career grand slam in the seven-run second. Even more impressive, the typically left-handed batting Lissy switched to the right side for the first time this season for the game, including the grand slam.
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Overall, 12 different players logged at least one of BSU's 22 hits on the day, led by a 3-for-4 effort from senior Janae Hogg. In addition, 12 Cardinals scored at least one run, while seven had at least one RBI.
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The Ball State softball team will go for the four-game series sweep of the Bulls Sunday, when it closes the 2021 season with a Noon first pitch at Nan Harvey Field.
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GAME 1 RECAP: Ball State 7 - Buffalo 4
It was an ominous start for the Cardinals, who fell down 2-0 in the bottom of the first thanks to a two-run Buffalo home run.
Â
However, that was the lone down spot in what turned out to be a brilliant game for senior starting pitcher Darcie Huber, who tied her career high with eight strikeouts over her 4.0 innings of work.
Â
In fact, eight of Huber's first nine outs came via the strikeout. The only inning she did not strike out a batter was the fourth, when the defense came up with its MAC-leading 24th double play of the season. Overall, Huber allowed just three hits and two runs in the game.
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However, the Cardinals still trailed by two heading into the top of the fifth, but came out of the top half of the inning tied thanks to a two-run triple from sophomore third baseman Haley Wynn.
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Hogg opened the inning with a single, and was replaced by freshman pinch runner Hannah Dukeman. Senior catcher Delanie Johnson followed with an infield single, while a sacrifice bunt from K. Wynn moved both runners into scoring position for H. Wynn.
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Unfortunately, the Bulls countered with two of their own in the bottom of the inning to reclaim the lead at 4-2.
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The score stayed that way until the top of the seventh, when the Cardinals came up with another patented big inning, scoring five in the frame to pull ahead 7-4.
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The rally started with another Hogg single, her third of the game, while senior pinch runner Katie Janiga moved to second on a wild pitch. Following a walk to Johnson, K. Wynn drove in the first run with an RBI double to left-center.
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After a passed ball allowed Johnson to score the game-tying run, H. Wynn walked and Lissy was hit by a pitch load the bases. Hensley made the Bulls pay for the free passes, smashing a two-run double into right field for what proved to be the game-winning RBIs. Two batters later, a sac fly from Payton scored the game's final run.
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Senior closer Alyssa Rothwell, who broke the NCAA Division I career saves record in Friday's win over the Bulls, was credited with the pitching victory Saturday as she threw the final 3.0 innings, allowing just one hit and two runs. She also struck out four more batters on the way to improving to 6-4 on the year.
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GAME 2 RECAP: Ball State 9 - Buffalo 0 (5)
After a scoreless first inning, the Cardinals offense came to life in the top of the second, pouncing for seven runs. Senior right fielder Haley Dominique got the ball rolling with a single through the right side, while Payton added a double to right.
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Junior second baseman Amaia Daniel took advantage of the two runners in scoring position, and then some, blasting her 14th career home run to left-center to give Ball State a 3-0 edge.
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Junior designated player Trinity Eckerty keep the rally going with a single to center field. A walk to redshirt sophomore catcher Jazmyne Armendariz and a hit by pitch for Janiga then loaded the bases.
Â
Two batters later, Lissy provided some fireworks of her own, blasting the ball out of the park in left-center for her first career grand slam. It was also her first career over-the-fence home run, as her first career round tripper was of the in-the-park variety in the opening game of the March 27 doubleheader versus Bowling Green.
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The Cardinals added an eighth run in the top of the fourth inning courtesy of an RBI groundout to first from Hensley. H. Wynn scored on the play after leading off the inning with a single, moving to second on a passed ball and advancing to third on a wild pitch.
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Ball State's final run came in the top of the fifth on a RBI double from Armendariz which tied the program record for doubles in a season at 100. Senior pinch hitter Gabby Magnifico opened the inning with a single through the left side, while Eckerty followed with her third hit of the game, a double to right field to cap a 3-for-3 effort.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Rothwell, Alyssa (6-4)
L: Tarantino, Julia (1-3)
Batting:
2B: Hensley, Faith 1 ; Wynn, Kennedy 1
3B: Wynn, Haley 1
RBI: Wynn, Haley 2 ; Hensley, Faith 2 ; Payton, Stacy 1 ; Wynn, Kennedy 1
SH: Wynn, Kennedy 1
SF: Payton, Stacy 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Wynn, Haley 1 ; Lissy, Kayla 1 ; Dukeman, Hannah 1 ; Janiga, Katie 1 ; Johnson, Delanie 2 ; Wynn, Kennedy 1
SB: Lissy, Kayla 1
CS: Wynn, Haley 1
HBP: Lissy, Kayla 1
Batting:
2B: Aguon, Anna 1
HR: Matheney, Alexis 1 ; Kincanon, Olivia 1
RBI: Matheney, Alexis 2 ; Fernimen, Madison 1 ; Kincanon, Olivia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Aguon, Anna 1 ; Peters, Alicia 1 ; Matheney, Alexis 1 ; Kincanon, Olivia 1
SB: Matheney, Alexis 1
HBP: Peters, Alicia 1 ; Castro, Brianna 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
3
R
0
H
3
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
2
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
C/Uti
/ Softball
Uti
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF/C
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballOF
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
C/Uti
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
INF/OF
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballINF/OF
/ Softball
OF
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