Softball Falls Short in Sunday Doubleheader Versus Ohio

Sunday, April 10

Muncie, Ind.

1 p.m.

Ball State University

12-20, 5-4

Ohio

14-17, 8-4

Ohio

Ball State

Softball Falls Short in Sunday Doubleheader Versus Ohio

April 10, 2022 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 1: Ball State 5 - Ohio 7 (8)Game 2: Ball State 4 - Ohio 6

MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State softball team could not get past the Mid-American Conference's hottest team Sunday afternoon, dropping both ends of a doubleheader to Ohio by scores of 7-5 (8) and 6-4.

After falling behind 5-0 in the opener, the Cardinals (12-21; 5-5 MAC) rallied to tie the score and force extra innings before ultimately losing in the eighth. The Bobcats (14-17; 8-4 MAC) would also pull ahead early in the night cap on its way to a seventh straight victory, which started with back-to-back victories over league-leading Miami.

Despite the pair of setbacks, several Ball State players turned in solid performances led by senior left fielder Faith Hensley who went 4-for-8 on the day and capped the scoring with her 14th home run of the season.

Over the two games, Hensley drove had a team-high five RBIs, scored three runs, and adding her first triple of the season to plate two of BSU's three runs in the sixth inning of the opener.

Junior third baseman Haley Wynn had a great opening game, going 3-for-5, while redshirt freshman first baseman / catcher McKayla Timmons when 3-for-4 in the nightcap. Timmons would tie Hensley for team high-honor with four total hits on the day, as would sophomore center fielder Remington Ross who had a pair of hits in each contest.

The Cardinals and Bobcats are slated to close the three-game series Monday with a 10 a.m. first pitch at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex. The game was moved up due to anticipated wet weather in the afternoon.

GAME 1: Ball State 5 – Ohio 7 (8)
After a scoreless first three innings, the Bobcats got on the scoreboard first with a five-run fourth inning.

The Cardinals would get their first two runs of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, starting with back-to-back doubles from Hensley and Wynn. After Wynn moved to third two batters later on a fly out, a two-out RBI single from senior catcher Delanie Johnson brought Ball State back within three at 5-2.

BSU would add three more runs in the bottom of the sixth, taking advantage of some early pinch hitting. The first was a leadoff walk to redshirt junior pinch hitter Jazmyne Armendariz. Two batters later, the Cardinals had a pair of runners on after a pinch hit single up the middle by Ross.

Hensley followed with her first triple of the season, and third of her career, to drive in the first two runs. Two batters later, Timmons would drive her home with an infield RBI single.

Unfortunately, after a scoreless seventh, the Bobcats smashed a pair of home runs in the eighth to win the game.

GAME 2: Ball State 4 – Ohio 6
Ohio jumped out to another early lead in the nightcap, scoring two in the first and one more in the third to pull ahead 3-0.

The Cardinals answered with two in the bottom of the third to pull within one. A one-out triple by Ross started the rally, and she would score on an RBI grounder to short by Hensley, who reached bases on via an error.

After a fielder's choice put Wynn on first, and a wild pitch moved her to second, an RBI single by Timmons which hopped past the Ohio shortstop drove in the second run.

Unfortunately, the Bobcats would strike for three more in the top of the fifth to take control of the game at 6-2.

Hensley would add an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth, and her solo home run in the seventh, but it was not enough as the Cardinals suffered the 6-4 setback.