Blaine Kinsey
GoSycamores.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The Indiana State Softball Team earned a split on the second day of the Music City Classic, defeating in-state rival Ball State 6-5 before falling to a talented Lipscomb team 9-1 in five innings.
Game One
Junior Alexa Cavin hit her first career over-the-fence home run in the first inning and the Sycamores never trailed as they defeated in-state rival Ball State in their second game of the Music City Classic on Saturday.
Senior Aubre Carpenter got things going for the Sycamores in the first inning when she reached on a fielding error and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After a fly out, senior Megan Stone walked to put runners at first and second with two outs. Cavin then put the Sycamores on the scoreboard when she launched her first career, over-the-fence, home run over the right field wall to give the Sycamores a 3-0 lead.
The Sycamores extended their lead in the top of the second inning when Holland drew a one-out walk before senior Ashley Dickerson was hit by a pitch. Sophomore Kassie Brown then loaded the bases with a bunt single before Holland scored on a bases loaded walk by Carpenter. Sophomore Erika Crissman then hit a two-RBI single to score Dickerson and Brown to make it 6-0 Sycamores.
Junior pitcher Taylor Lockwood held the Cardinals at bay for the first six innings, allowing just three base runners. The Cardinal hit a solo home run in the bottom of the third to make it 6-1. They then rallied late in the bottom of the 7th, scoring four runs.
The Sycamores held on, however, and went on to defeat Ball State by a score of 6-5 for their first victory of the season.
Cavin finished the game 2-3 with three RBI's, a triple and her first career home run.
Game Two
In the second game of the day, the Sycamores battled back and forth with co-host Lipscomb through the first four innings before Lipscomb pulled away to defeat the Sycamores 9-1 in five innings.
In the top of the first inning, sophomore Rylee Holland was hit by a pitch and then advanced to second on a base on balls to sophomore Erika Crissman. Senior Megan Stone then put runners on the corners on a fielders choice but the Sycamores couldn't push any runns across.
The Bisons plated a run in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead over the Sycamores after one inning complete.
The Sycamores came back in the top of the third to tie the game 1-1. Sophomore Kassie Brown hit a one out single and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Holland. After a walk by Crissman, Brown stole third base to put runners at the corners. Stone then hit an RBI single to score Brown and tie the game 1-1.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Bisons broke the game open, scoring five runs to take a 6-1 lead. They added three more in the bottom of the 5th to win the game 9-1.
The Sycamores will wrap up play in the Music City Classic on Sunday when they play tournament co-host Belmont at 2:30 EST.
