Saturday, March 25
Muncie, IN
4 p.m.
Ball State University
12-12, 2-1
8
vs
4
Central Michigan
10-14, 0-1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Central Michigan
2
0
0
1
0
0
1
4
6
1
Ball State
0
1
0
4
0
3
X
8
12
2
Long Ball Lifts Softball Past Central Michigan
March 25, 2023 | Softball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Fueled by a pair of home runs from both senior third baseman Haley Wynn and redshirt sophomore designated player McKayla Timmons, the Ball State softball team opened the home portion of its 2023 schedule with an 8-4 come-from-behind victory over Central Michigan.
In what was originally scheduled as a doubleheader, the Cardinals (12-12/2-1 Mid-American Conference) and Chippewas (10-14, 0-1 MAC) waited out a three-hour rain delay on what was also a blustery afternoon at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.
"It's always fun to play in front of your home crowd," head coach Lacy Schurr said. "I can't say enough about our fans who gave us a ton of momentum today. There is nothing better than being home, hearing them in the stands, and knowing they are cheering for you."
The wait paid off for Ball State, however as the Cardinals tallied six of its eight runs off the long ball for the win. CMU had built a 2-0 lead, on a two-run shot of its own in the first, and was up 3-1 heading into the bottom of the fourth.
However, a two-out solo shot from Wynn in the bottom of the fourth sparked a four-run inning. Redshirt senior catcher Jazmyne Armendariz added an RBI double two batters later, while Timmons smashed her first of two two-run homers to push BSU ahead 5-3.
Wynn would add another solo shot in the sixth, while Timmons tacked on her second two-run blast.
"We did a lot of prep work preparing for these pitchers," Schurr said. "I am really proud of our team because they stuck to their plan in the box and it paid off."
Not to be lost in the victory was the pitching of sophomore Angelina Russo who battled through the sustained winds of over 20 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 50mph, to tie her season high with eight strikeouts. Overall, she limited CMU to just six hits and four runs, only three of which were earned.
"Angelina was cruising today," Schurr added. "We were able to get her a lead and she took control from there. She's our go-to, and solid when the pressure is on and that showed today."
HIGHLIGHTS
SCORING SUMMARY – Ball State 8 – Central Michigan 4
UP NEXT
With today's delayed start due to weather, the Cardinals and Chippewas will play a noon doubleheader Sunday at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.
In what was originally scheduled as a doubleheader, the Cardinals (12-12/2-1 Mid-American Conference) and Chippewas (10-14, 0-1 MAC) waited out a three-hour rain delay on what was also a blustery afternoon at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.
"It's always fun to play in front of your home crowd," head coach Lacy Schurr said. "I can't say enough about our fans who gave us a ton of momentum today. There is nothing better than being home, hearing them in the stands, and knowing they are cheering for you."
The wait paid off for Ball State, however as the Cardinals tallied six of its eight runs off the long ball for the win. CMU had built a 2-0 lead, on a two-run shot of its own in the first, and was up 3-1 heading into the bottom of the fourth.
However, a two-out solo shot from Wynn in the bottom of the fourth sparked a four-run inning. Redshirt senior catcher Jazmyne Armendariz added an RBI double two batters later, while Timmons smashed her first of two two-run homers to push BSU ahead 5-3.
Wynn would add another solo shot in the sixth, while Timmons tacked on her second two-run blast.
"We did a lot of prep work preparing for these pitchers," Schurr said. "I am really proud of our team because they stuck to their plan in the box and it paid off."
Not to be lost in the victory was the pitching of sophomore Angelina Russo who battled through the sustained winds of over 20 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 50mph, to tie her season high with eight strikeouts. Overall, she limited CMU to just six hits and four runs, only three of which were earned.
"Angelina was cruising today," Schurr added. "We were able to get her a lead and she took control from there. She's our go-to, and solid when the pressure is on and that showed today."
HIGHLIGHTS
- All four of Timmons' home runs this season have been two-run shots, with three of the four coming with two outs, including both of today's blasts.
- Ball State's four home runs were the most in a game for the Cardinals this season, with the previous best being three at East Tennessee State on March 8.
- Each of Ball State's top four batters in the lineup registered two hits in the game, while eight different Cardinals had at least one hit.
SCORING SUMMARY – Ball State 8 – Central Michigan 4
- T1 | Central Michigan took advantage of the blustery conditions in Muncie, as a liner to right center turned into a two-run home run for Kelsey Alexander (2-0)
- B2 | Wynn was robbed of her first career grand slam as CMU center fielder Abbey Tolmie pulled the ball in from over the fence, but it still drove in first baseman Samantha-Jo Mata from third (2-1)
- T4 | A pair of Ball State defensive miscues helped CMU pick up a third run (3-1)
- B5 | Wynn picked up her fourth home run of the season with a little help from the wind on a fly to right (3-2)
- B5 | Armendariz followed a single from senior shortstop Amaia Daniel with an RBI double to center to tie the score (3-3)
- B5 | Timmons did not need any help from the wind in her at bat, blasting a no doubter over the fence in center to give Ball State a two-run lead (3-5)
- B6 | Wynn picked up her second solo shot of the game, a massive shot to center (3-6)
- B6 | Following an Armendariz single, Timmons added her second two-run blast of the day (3-8)
- T7 | An RBI single from Alyssa Hollo capped the scoring in the game (4-8)
UP NEXT
With today's delayed start due to weather, the Cardinals and Chippewas will play a noon doubleheader Sunday at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Russo, Angelina (5-4)
L: Grace Lehto (3-7)
Batting:
2B: Abbey Tolmie 1 ; Michaleigh Vallimont 1 ; Alyssa Hollo 1
HR: Kelsey Alexander 1
RBI: Kelsey Alexander 2 ; Alyssa Hollo 1
SH: Michaleigh Vallimont 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Abbey Tolmie 1 ; Michaleigh Vallimont 1 ; Kelsey Alexander 1 ; Tessa Nuss 1
Batting:
2B: Daniel, Amaia 1 ; Armendariz, Jazmyne 1
HR: Wynn, Haley 2 ; Timmons, McKayla 2
RBI: Wynn, Haley 3 ; Armendariz, Jazmyne 1 ; Timmons, McKayla 4
SH: Mulholland, McKenna 1
SF: Wynn, Haley 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Wynn, Haley 2 ; Daniel, Amaia 1 ; Armendariz, Jazmyne 2 ; Timmons, McKayla 2 ; Mata, Samantha-Jo 1
CS: Dukeman, Hannah 1
HBP: Timmons, McKayla 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
2
R
2
H
2
RBI
3
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
4
Players Mentioned
C/Uti
/ Softball
Uti
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
INF/OF
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