Softball Opens Home Slate With Friday Sweep Of Kent State

MUNCIE, Ind. - - Not even the cold weather could spoil softball's home-opening doubleheader, as Ball State swept visiting Kent State by scores of 8-5 and 4-1 Friday afternoon at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.

After playing its first 25 games on the road, the Cardinals' (9-18; 2-2 Mid-American Conference) survived a nearly 20-minute cold delay as the team's waited for the weather to warm up enough to start the games.

While the Golden Flashes (9-16; 1-6 MAC) struck first, with a run in the opening inning, Ball State was able to heat up, out-scoring Kent State 12-to-5 over the final 13 innings of the day.

Redshirt freshman catcher / first baseman McKayla Timmons provided the biggest hit of the opening game, with a three-run shot to cap the scoring in a five-run Ball State second inning.

In the nightcap, junior third baseman Haley Wynn got into the action with a two-run shot in the second, giving BSU a 4-0 edge in the game.

Overall, the Cardinals smashed 17 hits on the day, led by four each from Timmons and senior left fielder Faith Hensley.

As big as Ball State's bats turned out to be, it was another brilliant pitching performance from freshman Angelina Russo which stole the show in the second game. Russo threw a complete game one-hitter, striking out four batters along the way to improve to 5-6 on the year. The lone run she surrendered was unearned.

In addition, Ball State's defense came up with several huge plays, including three double plays on the day. The Cardinals have now turned 18 double plays on the year, which leads the MAC and ranks in the top 10 nationally.

The Ball State softball team closes its three-game series versus Kent State Saturday, with a scheduled 1 p.m. first pitch back at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.

GAME 1 RECAP: Ball State 8 – Kent State 5
While Kent State was able to load the bases with just one out in the top of the first, the managed to score just one run off BSU freshman starter Emma Eubank who forced an infield fly for the second out, and following an RBI walk, helped induce a fielder's choice at third to end the inning.

Ball State would get a two-out single from Timmons, followed by a double from senior second baseman Amaia Daniel in the bottom of the first. Unfortunately, they were unable to string three straight hits together to keep it a 1-0 game.

However, the Cardinals would not be held off the scoreboard in the second, as they struck for five runs to pull ahead for good at 5-1. Senior Mackenzie McCarty started the rally with a one-out walk, while freshman pinch runner Kaitlyn Gibson came around to score on sophomore shortstop Kayla Lissy's second triple of the season.

After a walk to Hensley, Lissy would score the second run of the inning when Hensley stole second and an error on the throw allowed her to score from third. Wynn followed with a second consecutive walk, before Timmons launched a no-doubter over the fence in center field.

While Kent State would get two of the runs back in the third, the Cardinals reclaimed the four-run edge with two more of its own in the bottom of the fourth. This time, the rally started with a one-out single from sophomore center fielder Remington Ross, who then promptly stole second.

Hensley capitalized with the speedy runner at second, slicing an RBI single up the middle to plate the first run of the frame. Two batters later, Timmons collected her fourth RBI of the game with a double to right field.

Once again, Kent State would score two runs in the top of the fifth, cutting the lead back to two at 7-5. Despite giving up runs, it was a solid outing for Eubank who would pick up her second victory of the season after striking out three over her 5.0 innings of work.

Enter freshman reliever Caridad Estes in the sixth, who would lock up the win by retiring six of the seven batters she faced over the final two innings, striking out three of her own.

The Cardinals also added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, courtesy of some heads up baserunning by the speedy Lissy at second on a bunt single from Ross. Lissy singled with one out, then stole second before scoring.

GAME 2 RECAP: Ball State 4 – Kent State 1
Russo's effort in the circle was the story of the second game, as she did not yield a hit until the top of the fifth.

However, Ball State's offense also made some big moves early, starting with a two-run opening inning. BSU loaded the bases with walks to Hensley and Wynn, followed by a bunt single from Timmons. Daniel made it four straight batters to reach base with an RBI walk, while senior catcher Delanie Johnson made it five straight with an RBI hit by pitch.

The Cardinals added two more runs in the bottom of the second, as a one-out single by Hensley set up Wynn's two-run blast to right field.

That was all the run support Russo would need, as she picked up her fifth win of the season in convincing fashion.

Softball Opens Home Slate With Friday Sweep Of Kent State

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Team Stats

Faith Hensley

Haley Wynn

McKayla Timmons

Kayla Lissy

Players Mentioned

Amaia Daniel

Caridad Estes

Emma Eubank

Kaitlyn Gibson

Faith Hensley

Delanie Johnson

Kayla Lissy

Mackenzie McCarty

Remington Ross

Angelina Russo

McKayla Timmons

Haley Wynn

Players Mentioned

Amaia Daniel

Caridad Estes

Emma Eubank

Kaitlyn Gibson

Faith Hensley

Delanie Johnson

Kayla Lissy

Mackenzie McCarty

Remington Ross

Angelina Russo

McKayla Timmons

Haley Wynn