Friday, February 18
Rock Hill, S.C.
10:00 AM
Ball State University
1-5
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8
Robert Morris
5-1
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7
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H
E
Robert Morris
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1
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8
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Ball State
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Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Softball Rallies Past Towson in Extras Friday Afternoon
February 18, 2022 | Softball
ROCK HILL, S.C. - - An impressive eighth inning helped the Ball State softball team close the opening day of the Winthrop Eagle Invitational with a 3-2 (8) win over Towson Friday afternoon at Eagle Field.
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With the international tiebreaker in effect, placing a runner on second to open the eighth, it was the Cardinals (2-5) defense which made the first big play of the inning.
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Following a Tigers (0-6) sacrifice bunt to move the runner to third, another grounder back to freshman pitcher Madison Taylor looked to push the go-ahead run across the plate. However, Taylor's throw to junior first baseman Trinity Eckerty was quick enough to allow the throw home to redshirt freshman catcher McKayla Timmons to complete the double play.
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It was Ball State's second double play of the game, and seventh of the season, and gave the speedy top of the Cardinals order a chance to win the game. They did just that, starting with sophomore right fielder Kaitlyn Mathews on first, leadoff hitter junior third baseman Haley Wynn reached on an error on her sacrifice bunt attempt.
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A bunt single from sophomore transfer center fielder Remington Ross with runners on the corners then loaded the bases, setting up a game-winning RBI walk from senior left fielder Faith Hensley.
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The extra frame was set up by the help of sophomore shortstop Kayla Lissy who drove in the game's first run with an RBI triple in the bottom of the first inning. After Towson scored runs in the fifth and sixth inning to pull ahead 2-1, a sac fly from Lissy in the bottom of the sixth tied the score.
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Hensley scored the first run of the contest after drawing a two-out walk prior to Lissy's triple. Ross scored the second after doubling to left field to open the bottom of the sixth.
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Freshman Madison Taylor would earn the win in the circle, entering with the game tied in the seventh. She threw the final two innings, allowing just one hit. Freshman Angelina Russo drew the start, pitching the first six innings; striking out six while allowing just six hits and one earned run.
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Unfortunately, despite a three-run home run from senior Amaia Daniel and a solo shot from sophomore transfer designated player Samantha-Jo Mata in the bottom of the sixth, the Cardinals suffered an 8-5 setback to Robert Morris in the weekend opener.
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The Colonials (5-1) scored the game's first five runs and never looked back. BSU would cut the lead to 5-1 thanks to an RBI single from Daniel in the bottom of the fourth, but RMU answered with three more runs in the top of the fifth.
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Five Cardinals finished the opening day of the tournament with two hits apiece: Lissy, Hensley, Ross, Daniel, and Wynn. Overall, BSU pounded out 13 hits over the two games, with eight players collecting at least one.
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Ball State continues play in the Winthrop Eagle Invitational Saturday with games versus Albany (12:30p) and Western Carolina (3p). Â
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With the international tiebreaker in effect, placing a runner on second to open the eighth, it was the Cardinals (2-5) defense which made the first big play of the inning.
Â
Following a Tigers (0-6) sacrifice bunt to move the runner to third, another grounder back to freshman pitcher Madison Taylor looked to push the go-ahead run across the plate. However, Taylor's throw to junior first baseman Trinity Eckerty was quick enough to allow the throw home to redshirt freshman catcher McKayla Timmons to complete the double play.
Â
It was Ball State's second double play of the game, and seventh of the season, and gave the speedy top of the Cardinals order a chance to win the game. They did just that, starting with sophomore right fielder Kaitlyn Mathews on first, leadoff hitter junior third baseman Haley Wynn reached on an error on her sacrifice bunt attempt.
Â
A bunt single from sophomore transfer center fielder Remington Ross with runners on the corners then loaded the bases, setting up a game-winning RBI walk from senior left fielder Faith Hensley.
Â
The extra frame was set up by the help of sophomore shortstop Kayla Lissy who drove in the game's first run with an RBI triple in the bottom of the first inning. After Towson scored runs in the fifth and sixth inning to pull ahead 2-1, a sac fly from Lissy in the bottom of the sixth tied the score.
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Hensley scored the first run of the contest after drawing a two-out walk prior to Lissy's triple. Ross scored the second after doubling to left field to open the bottom of the sixth.
Â
Freshman Madison Taylor would earn the win in the circle, entering with the game tied in the seventh. She threw the final two innings, allowing just one hit. Freshman Angelina Russo drew the start, pitching the first six innings; striking out six while allowing just six hits and one earned run.
Â
Unfortunately, despite a three-run home run from senior Amaia Daniel and a solo shot from sophomore transfer designated player Samantha-Jo Mata in the bottom of the sixth, the Cardinals suffered an 8-5 setback to Robert Morris in the weekend opener.
Â
The Colonials (5-1) scored the game's first five runs and never looked back. BSU would cut the lead to 5-1 thanks to an RBI single from Daniel in the bottom of the fourth, but RMU answered with three more runs in the top of the fifth.
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Five Cardinals finished the opening day of the tournament with two hits apiece: Lissy, Hensley, Ross, Daniel, and Wynn. Overall, BSU pounded out 13 hits over the two games, with eight players collecting at least one.
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Ball State continues play in the Winthrop Eagle Invitational Saturday with games versus Albany (12:30p) and Western Carolina (3p). Â
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: VATAKIS, Dana (2-0)
L: Jones, Deborah (0-1)
S: RHINEHART, Taylor (1)
Batting:
RBI: KOUTSOGIANI, Alaina 1 ; RHINEHART, Taylor 1 ; RESNIK, Anna 1
Base Running:
RUNS: KOUTSOGIANI, Alaina 1 ; RHINEHART, Taylor 1 ; BELL, Erika 1 ; GROVER, Charlotte 2 ; RESNIK, Anna 2 ; WINCHELL, Avery 1
SB: KOUTSOGIANI, Alaina 1
HBP: KOUTSOGIANI, Alaina 1
Batting:
HR: Daniel, Amaia 1 ; Mata, Samantha-Jo 1
RBI: Daniel, Amaia 4 ; Mata, Samantha-Jo 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hensley, Faith 1 ; Lissy, Kayla 1 ; Timmons, McKayla 1 ; Daniel, Amaia 1 ; Mata, Samantha-Jo 1
SB: Lissy, Kayla 1
CS: Wynn, Haley 1
HBP: Timmons, McKayla 1 ; Mata, Samantha-Jo 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
4
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
Uti
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
LHP
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
INF/OF
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