Softball Tops Winthrop in Weekend Finale

Sunday, February 20

Rock Hill, S.C.

12:30 PM

Ball State University

2-4

Winthrop

1-9

Ball State

Winthrop

February 20, 2022 | Softball

Box Score Box Score: Ball State 7 - Winthrop 5

ROCK HILL, S.C. - - The Ball State softball team closed play in the Winthrop Eagle Invitational with a 7-5 victory over host Winthrop Sunday afternoon at Terry Field.

In finishing the event with a 3-2 record, the Cardinals (4-6) scored in each of the first four innings to pull ahead 7-1. While the Eagles (1-9) were able to battle back with a pair of runs in both the sixth and seventh, BSU was able to hold on for the victory.

Ball State tallied the first run of the game when sophomore shortstop Kayla Lissy scored on a passed ball in the top of the first. Lissy smashed a one-out single to reach base, advanced to second on an error, reached third on a wild pitch, and scored on a passed ball.

Winthrop would answer with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning, but left the bases loaded as freshman pitcher Angelina Russo worked out of a jam by striking out the final batter of the inning.

Redshirt junior catcher Jazmyne Armendariz broke the tie with a solo home run in the top of the second, while BSU's offense added four more runs in the top of the third.

The first two runs came on a bases loaded single up the middle from senior second baseman Amaia Daniel. The final two of the frame came on a two-run single down the left field line by senior designated player Trinity Eckerty.

The Cardinals looked to have a comfortable lead after the top of the fourth, when senior left fielder Faith Hensley singled with one out and later scored on an Eagles error.

However, after a scoreless fifth, Winthrop managed to produce two runs in the sixth to cut the gap to 7-3. The Eagles would then get the first two batters on in the bottom of the sixth, before BSU starting pitcher Russo re-entered the game to strikeout three of the four batters she faced.

BSU relief pitcher Emma Eubank was credited with her first career win after throwing the fourth and fifth innings, allowing just two hits and striking out one.

Hensley and Lissy led the Cardinals with a pair of hits each, while Daniel and Eckerty each tallied a pair of RBIs.

The Ball State softball team returns to action Friday, March 4, when it opens play in the Coach B Classic versus Murray State (1:15 p.m. ET / 12:15 p.m. CT) and tournament host Southern Illinois (3:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CT).