May 2, 2009
Final Stats
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Miami University softball team overcame a 5-0 deficit to Ball State Saturday afternoon, but a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh inning gave the Cardinals a 6-5 win. The RedHawks fall to 28-21 overall and 13-8 in the Mid-American Conference. Ball State is 27-22 and 17-3 in the MAC.
The loss secures the fourth seed for Miami in the upcoming MAC Tournament.
Two RedHawk fielding errors led to three runs for Ball State in the bottom of the first. The Cardinals made it 5-0 with two more runs in the bottom of the third after another Miami fielding error. Of the five Ball State runs scored off starter Jessica Simpson, only one was earned.
The RedHawks began their comeback in the top of the fifth by loading the bases with no one out. Daniela Torres drew a walk to put Miami on the board. Two batters later, Jenna McGivney reached on a fielder's choice to score Alexis Javier. Alicia Hogl followed that with a single to score Torres. On that play McGivney also attempted to score, but the Ball State left fielder made a strong throw to the catcher to get the out and end the inning.
Trailing 5-3 in the top of the seventh with one out, the RedHawks began a rally when Torres was hit by a pitch. Sarah Billstrom reached when her long fly ball to centerfield was dropped, putting runners at second and third. McGivney then brought both of them home with a double to left center tying the game at five.
In the bottom of the seventh with one out Alicia Barkley singled off reliever Meredith Linch. That would be the only hit Linch gave up in 2.2 innings of relief. The next batter reached on a fielder's choice, as the RedHawks were unable to get the force at second. Linch then struck out Jen Reifschneider. A hit batter then loaded the bases with two out. With the count three balls and two strikes to Kate Wilczynski, Linch's pitch came in just a touch low and Ball State was able to score the winning run.
McGivney finished the day 1-for-4 with three RBI. Hogl was 2-for-4 with one RBI.
Miami concludes the regular season on Sunday with a rematch at Ball State. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.
