Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, April 15
Varsity Field
1 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
5
vs
3
Ball State
Photo by: EMU Athletics/Randy Mascharka
Softball Splits Doubleheader Meeting with Ball State
4/15/2011 7:37:08 PM | Softball
The Eagles move to 21-9 on the season and 7-3 in conference play
Box Score: Game One, Game Two.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University softball team recorded a doubleheader split with visiting Mid-American Conference opponent Ball State this afternoon, April 15, at Varsity Field.
The Eagles took a 5-3 decision in game one but dropped the second in a closely contested 2-1 thriller to move their overall record to 21-9 (7-3 MAC).
The Cardinals now sit at 26-15 overall and 6-2 in conference play.
In game one, the Green and White battled back from a 2-0 deficit in the third inning and scored five unanswered to an eventual 5-3 final.
Jessica Richards (Canton, Mich.-Jackson) was responsible for three of the Eagles' 10 hits in game one, scoring once for EMU.
BSU struck first in the top of the third inning on a two-run RBI double off the bat of Taylor Rager.
The Eagles did not hesitate to respond, answering with a two runs in the bottom of the frame. Lauren Delapaz (Plymouth, Mich.-Canton) was hit by a pitch and stole second to put a runner in scoring position for Stacie Skodinski (South Bend, Ind.-Washington). The senior shortstop drilled a double to left center field, allowing Delapaz to come around and score the Eagles' first run of the ballgame, while junior Sarah Gerber (North Canton, Ohio-Hoover) followed with a game tying RBI single to left field, setting the score to two apiece.
With two outs, EMU used three hits and a BSU error to tag on three more runs in the fourth.
The speedy Richards pushed a ground ball to second base, but managed to leg out an infield single.
Delapaz was next to approach the plate, taking the second pitch she saw and roped a shot that found its way over the left field fence to push the Eagles ahead, 4-2.
Skodinski connected on her second hit of the contest and stole her ninth base of the season to set up another scoring opportunity for Gerber. The junior catcher hit a routine ground ball to the shortstop, but a fielding error by BSU's Rager at first base kept the inning alive and allowed Skodinski to score from second base and push the Eagles' lead to three.
Ball State threatened with a another run in the sixth, but the Green and White managed to close out the game and secure the 5-3 win over the Cardinals.
Jenna Ignowski (Niles, Mich.-Niles) earned the win in the circle and improves to 12-3 on the season. Ignowski scattered eight hits in 7.0 innings of work, striking out 11 in her complete game effort.
The Eagles' bats were quieted to just two hits in their 2-1 loss in game two.
Jaclyn Caro (Chino, Calif.-St. Lucy's Priory) is charged with the loss in 1.1 innings in relief, but managed to strike out one to help the Eagles escape a jam in the sixth.
Lauren Wells (Lowell, Ind.-Lowell) went 5.1 innings in the circle and gave up one earned run on six hits.
BSU's Rager singled through the right side in the first inning to plate Alicia Barkley and give the Cardinals an 1-0 lead.
The Eagles took advantage of a hit by pitch and a passed ball to move Richards to second base. Delapaz scored Richards on an RBI single up the middle to tie the score at one.
Both teams failed to post runs until the seventh, but each squad had plenty of opportunities to score, as BSU stranded four baserunners during that timeframe, and the Eagles stranded six.
In the top of the fourth, the Cardinals gave the home team a scare on a close play at the plate. With a runner at first, BSU's Alison Mercado drove a single down the right field line. Lisa Rozanski was waved around on an attempt to score, but a textbook relay from the outfield allowed Gerber to punch her out on a play at the plate and end the threat.
The Eagles faced runners at first and second with one out in the sixth and called upon Caro to come in and take over for Wells. The senior hurler showed poise as she successfully retired the side on a strike out and a fly out.
Ball State would take the lead in the seventh with a bases loaded walk and two outs. Jillian Williamson (Sebewaing, Mich.-Unionville-Sebewaing Area) checked into the game to pitch the final out of the inning in hopes that the Eagles would claw back in the final frame.
Nellie Coquillard (Niles, Mich.-Niles) drew a two out walk in the seventh, but that would be as far as the EMU offense would push, as Ball State closed out the contest with a 2-1 victory.
The Eagles will return to action tomorrow afternoon with a single game against the Miami RedHawks at Varsity Field. First pitch is slated for a 2 p.m. start.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University softball team recorded a doubleheader split with visiting Mid-American Conference opponent Ball State this afternoon, April 15, at Varsity Field.
The Eagles took a 5-3 decision in game one but dropped the second in a closely contested 2-1 thriller to move their overall record to 21-9 (7-3 MAC).
The Cardinals now sit at 26-15 overall and 6-2 in conference play.
In game one, the Green and White battled back from a 2-0 deficit in the third inning and scored five unanswered to an eventual 5-3 final.
Jessica Richards (Canton, Mich.-Jackson) was responsible for three of the Eagles' 10 hits in game one, scoring once for EMU.
BSU struck first in the top of the third inning on a two-run RBI double off the bat of Taylor Rager.
The Eagles did not hesitate to respond, answering with a two runs in the bottom of the frame. Lauren Delapaz (Plymouth, Mich.-Canton) was hit by a pitch and stole second to put a runner in scoring position for Stacie Skodinski (South Bend, Ind.-Washington). The senior shortstop drilled a double to left center field, allowing Delapaz to come around and score the Eagles' first run of the ballgame, while junior Sarah Gerber (North Canton, Ohio-Hoover) followed with a game tying RBI single to left field, setting the score to two apiece.
With two outs, EMU used three hits and a BSU error to tag on three more runs in the fourth.
The speedy Richards pushed a ground ball to second base, but managed to leg out an infield single.
Delapaz was next to approach the plate, taking the second pitch she saw and roped a shot that found its way over the left field fence to push the Eagles ahead, 4-2.
Skodinski connected on her second hit of the contest and stole her ninth base of the season to set up another scoring opportunity for Gerber. The junior catcher hit a routine ground ball to the shortstop, but a fielding error by BSU's Rager at first base kept the inning alive and allowed Skodinski to score from second base and push the Eagles' lead to three.
Ball State threatened with a another run in the sixth, but the Green and White managed to close out the game and secure the 5-3 win over the Cardinals.
Jenna Ignowski (Niles, Mich.-Niles) earned the win in the circle and improves to 12-3 on the season. Ignowski scattered eight hits in 7.0 innings of work, striking out 11 in her complete game effort.
The Eagles' bats were quieted to just two hits in their 2-1 loss in game two.
Jaclyn Caro (Chino, Calif.-St. Lucy's Priory) is charged with the loss in 1.1 innings in relief, but managed to strike out one to help the Eagles escape a jam in the sixth.
Lauren Wells (Lowell, Ind.-Lowell) went 5.1 innings in the circle and gave up one earned run on six hits.
BSU's Rager singled through the right side in the first inning to plate Alicia Barkley and give the Cardinals an 1-0 lead.
The Eagles took advantage of a hit by pitch and a passed ball to move Richards to second base. Delapaz scored Richards on an RBI single up the middle to tie the score at one.
Both teams failed to post runs until the seventh, but each squad had plenty of opportunities to score, as BSU stranded four baserunners during that timeframe, and the Eagles stranded six.
In the top of the fourth, the Cardinals gave the home team a scare on a close play at the plate. With a runner at first, BSU's Alison Mercado drove a single down the right field line. Lisa Rozanski was waved around on an attempt to score, but a textbook relay from the outfield allowed Gerber to punch her out on a play at the plate and end the threat.
The Eagles faced runners at first and second with one out in the sixth and called upon Caro to come in and take over for Wells. The senior hurler showed poise as she successfully retired the side on a strike out and a fly out.
Ball State would take the lead in the seventh with a bases loaded walk and two outs. Jillian Williamson (Sebewaing, Mich.-Unionville-Sebewaing Area) checked into the game to pitch the final out of the inning in hopes that the Eagles would claw back in the final frame.
Nellie Coquillard (Niles, Mich.-Niles) drew a two out walk in the seventh, but that would be as far as the EMU offense would push, as Ball State closed out the contest with a 2-1 victory.
The Eagles will return to action tomorrow afternoon with a single game against the Miami RedHawks at Varsity Field. First pitch is slated for a 2 p.m. start.
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