Friday, May 7
Kalamazoo, MI
3 p.m.
Ball State University
29-17, 23-7
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Western Michigan
11-30, 7-20
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Ball State
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Western Michigan
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Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Payton Blast Provides Momentum Shift in Win at WMU
May 07, 2021 | Softball
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - - The Ball State softball team needed a big play. Leading 6-2 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning at Ebert Field, the Cardinals (29-17; 23-7 Mid-American Conference) saw host Western Michigan battle back within one thanks to a pair of home runs.
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Having scored at least one run in each of the first five innings, Ball State looked like it was going to go quietly in an attempt to counter in the top of the sixth after a great play on a squeeze bunt registered the second out at home plate.
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However, Ball State senior catcher Stacy Payton had other plans, as she blasted a 3-1 pitch over the fence in left field to help the Cardinals regain the momentum and earn an 8-5 victory in the series opener versus the Broncos (11-30; 7-20 MAC).
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The two-run bomb also helped settle Cardinals senior closer Alyssa Rothwell who entered in the bottom of the fifth looking to move one step closer to history. After allowing three runs in her first inning of work, she settled in and struck out three batters over the final two innings to hold the Broncos scoreless and collect the 31st save of her career.
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Rothwell is now one save shy of tying, and two saves short of breaking, the NCAA Division I career saves record of 32 set by Mississippi State's Kellie Willkerson (1999-2002).
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Overall, Rothwell allowed four hits and three runs over her 3.0 innings of work, while striking out five. Her effort also helped lock up the win for junior starter Tieghan Morio who improved to 10-4 on the year after allowing just four hits and two runs over 4.0 innings. Morio also struck out four batters, giving the Cardinals pitching staff nine strikeouts on the day.
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In addition to Payton's clutch home run, freshman shortstop Kayla Lissy had a solid day at the plate, going 3-for-4 and upping her MAC-leading triple total to eight on the year. Senior designated player Delanie Johnson also had three hits, including an RBI single in the two-run fourth.
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Rounding out Ball State's top contributors on offense was senior center fielder Kennedy Wynn who went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI doubles. One in the second inning and one in the fifth.
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Overall, Ball State pounded out 12 hits on the day, including RBI base knocks from senior first baseman Janae Hogg and senior right fielder Haley Dominique. Junior left fielder Faith Hensley also upped her team-leading RBI total, driving in her 39th run of the season with an RBI groundout.
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The Cardinals and Broncos return to action Saturday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Ebert Field.
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Having scored at least one run in each of the first five innings, Ball State looked like it was going to go quietly in an attempt to counter in the top of the sixth after a great play on a squeeze bunt registered the second out at home plate.
Â
However, Ball State senior catcher Stacy Payton had other plans, as she blasted a 3-1 pitch over the fence in left field to help the Cardinals regain the momentum and earn an 8-5 victory in the series opener versus the Broncos (11-30; 7-20 MAC).
Â
The two-run bomb also helped settle Cardinals senior closer Alyssa Rothwell who entered in the bottom of the fifth looking to move one step closer to history. After allowing three runs in her first inning of work, she settled in and struck out three batters over the final two innings to hold the Broncos scoreless and collect the 31st save of her career.
Â
Rothwell is now one save shy of tying, and two saves short of breaking, the NCAA Division I career saves record of 32 set by Mississippi State's Kellie Willkerson (1999-2002).
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Overall, Rothwell allowed four hits and three runs over her 3.0 innings of work, while striking out five. Her effort also helped lock up the win for junior starter Tieghan Morio who improved to 10-4 on the year after allowing just four hits and two runs over 4.0 innings. Morio also struck out four batters, giving the Cardinals pitching staff nine strikeouts on the day.
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In addition to Payton's clutch home run, freshman shortstop Kayla Lissy had a solid day at the plate, going 3-for-4 and upping her MAC-leading triple total to eight on the year. Senior designated player Delanie Johnson also had three hits, including an RBI single in the two-run fourth.
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Rounding out Ball State's top contributors on offense was senior center fielder Kennedy Wynn who went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI doubles. One in the second inning and one in the fifth.
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Overall, Ball State pounded out 12 hits on the day, including RBI base knocks from senior first baseman Janae Hogg and senior right fielder Haley Dominique. Junior left fielder Faith Hensley also upped her team-leading RBI total, driving in her 39th run of the season with an RBI groundout.
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The Cardinals and Broncos return to action Saturday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Ebert Field.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Morio, Tieghan (10-4)
L: Sydney Stefanick (3-6)
S: Rothwell, Alyssa (3)
Batting:
2B: Hogg, Janae 1 ; Johnson, Delanie 1 ; Wynn, Kennedy 2
3B: Lissy, Kayla 1
HR: Payton, Stacy 1
RBI: Hensley, Faith 1 ; Dominique, Haley 1 ; Payton, Stacy 2 ; Hogg, Janae 1 ; Johnson, Delanie 1 ; Wynn, Kennedy 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Lissy, Kayla 2 ; Dominique, Haley 1 ; Payton, Stacy 2 ; Daniel, Amaia 1 ; Hogg, Janae 2
SB: Lissy, Kayla 1
HBP: Wynn, Haley 1
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Batting:
2B: Sydney Stefanick 1
HR: Mackenzie Swinehart 1 ; Logan Carter 1
RBI: Mackenzie Swinehart 1 ; Logan Carter 3 ; Sophia Ehlers 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Mackenzie Swinehart 1 ; Kaylen Glenfield 2 ; Logan Carter 1 ; Maggie Kehoe 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
2
H
3
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
3
RBI
1
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
2
cf/ph
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballC/Uti
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballC/INF
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballOF
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Sports Link: Kaitlyn Gibson (Softball)
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