Softball Drops Arizona Opener at Grand Canyon

Wednesday, March 9

Phoenix, Ariz.

8:00 PM

Ball State University

5-10

Grand Canyon

16-5

Ball State

Grand Canyon

March 09, 2022 | Softball

Box Score

PHOENIX - - Senior left fielder Faith Hensley's RBI single in the top of the third inning cut Ball State softball's deficit to one run, 2-1, in its Arizona opener at Grand Canyon Wednesday evening.

Unfortunately, the 'Lopes (16-5) would counter with two runs in the bottom of the third and control play from there for a 5-2 victory over the Cardinals (5-10) at the GSU Softball Stadium.

GSU struck first with a pair of runs in the opening inning, before Hensley's team-leading 12 RBI of the season looked to get BSU the momentum.

However, a talented GSU offense, which entered the game with a .333 team batting average, had other plans. In addition to two runs in the bottom of the third, they added one more in the fifth.

Hensley, who made a home-run robbing catch on defense, tallied two of BSU's six hits in the game. Junior third baseman Haley Wynn also had a pair of hits, including an RBI double with two outs in the top of the seventh to drive in the game's final run.

Wynn scored BSU's first run, after smashing a one-out single to center and advancing to second on an error in the top of the third.

Senior pinch hitter Trinity Eckerty looked to spark a two-out rally in the seventh via a walk. Sophomore center fielder Hannah Dukeman reentered and moved into scoring position via a wild pitch, before scoring on Wynn's double.

BSU's other hits came from redshirt junior designated player Jazmyne Armendariz and senior first baseman Mackenzie McCarty.

Three different pitchers saw action for BSU, with junior Deborah Jones earning a pair of strikeouts in her lone inning of work. Freshman Madison Taylor also had a solid outing, allowing just one hit in the sixth.

The Ball State softball team opens play in the GCU/ASU Sun Devil Classic Friday with games versus New Mexico State (1 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. MST) and No. 25 Arizona State (6 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. MST). Both games will be played at ASU's Alberta B. Farrington Softball Stadium.