Ohio Gets Past Softball Cardinals With Late Runs on a Blustery Sunday

Sunday, March 17

Muncie, IN

Noon

Ball State University

15-14, 2-1

Ohio

13-14, 1-2

Ohio

Ball State

Ohio Gets Past Softball Cardinals With Late Runs on a Blustery Sunday

March 17, 2024 | Softball

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. – Ohio and Ball State battled through high winds Sunday afternoon and the Bobcats broke open a 2-0 game with five runs over the last two innings to beat Ball State 7-0 in Mid-American Conference play at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.

Ohio plated two runs with two outs in the top of the first inning and a pitchers dual ensued over the next four-and-a-half innings, with Cardinals starter Bridie Murphy scattering just five hits through five frames. Ohio starter Skipp Miller pitched a seven-inning shutout while allowing the Cardinals five hits total.

But while clinging to the two-run lead in the sixth, the Bobcats got a leadoff double from Yasmine Loga and a two-run homer from Shelby Westler to chase Murphy and make the score 4-0 through six innings. Ohio tacked on three more insurance in the top of seventh off reliever Emma Eubank.

Ball State put runners on base in every inning but the fourth, but couldn't push runs across the plate while leaving seven runners on base. The Cardinals' best opportunity came while down just two runs in the fifth, getting pinch-hit, leadoff singles by Maddie Weaver and Sophie Schoch. But Kaitlyn Mathews, running for Weaver, was called for leaving first base too early on a pitch, and the Cardinals were retired after a fielder's choice and a fly out to end the inning.

Ball State (15-14, 2-1 MAC) resume play next weekend when Kent State visits Muncie for a three-game MAC series beginning Friday at 3 p.m. A doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m.

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