Softball Suffers 11-7 Setback to New Mexico State

Friday, March 11

Tempe, Ariz.

2:00 PM

Ball State University

5-11

New Mexico State

5-11

Ball State

New Mexico State

March 11, 2022 | Softball

Box Score Box Score: Ball State 7 - NMSU 11

TEMPE, Ariz. - - The Ball State softball team rallied from six runs down to tie the score in the sixth but could not hold off New Mexico State in the end, suffering an 11-7 setback Friday afternoon at Arizona State's Farrington Stadium.

The Cardinals (5-11) actually took a 1-0 lead early in its opener at the ASU/GCU Classic, as senior left fielder Faith Hensley smashed her sixth home run of the season with one out in the top of the first.

Unfortunately, the Aggies (5-11) responded with four in the bottom of the inning and three more in the second to pull ahead 7-1.

Ball State would rally back, however, starting with sophomore shortstop Kayla Lissy doubling to lead off the third and eventually scoring on a wild pitch.

Redshirt freshman first baseman McKayla Timmons would get into the action in the top of the fourth, smashing her second home run as a Cardinals with a three-run blast.

Sophomore center fielder Hannah Dukeman would cut the lead to 7-6 in the top of the fifth with a RBI single, while Timmons' fourth RBI of the game in the top of the sixth drove home Lissy and tied the game.

The tie was short-lived, however, as NMSU rallied for four runs in the bottom of the sixth to earn the 11-7 victory. The Cardinals did manage to put a pair of runners on base in the top of the seventh but could not capitalize.

Despite the loss, Ball State smashed nine hits in the game, including two apiece from Lissy, Timmons and senior catcher Delanie Johnson.

The Ball State softball team continues play in the ASU/GCU Classic Saturday, with a pair of games at the GCU Softball Stadium. First up, a 2 p.m. ET / Noon MST showdown with BYU. A rematch versus Grand Canyon follows at 4:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. MST.