TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – First-inning scoring led the Cardinals past the Sycamores as Indiana State fell to Ball State 5-3 in a hard-fought contest at Price Field on Tuesday afternoon.
In the top of the first, Ball State quickly took control by scoring all five of their runs for the game. The inning started with a bunt single by Pietrzak, followed by walks from Timmons and a hit-by-pitch for Mulholland to load the bases.
Gunter then launched a four-RBI home run, clearing the bases. Gibson followed with a double, and after Urban's pop-up, Lovett singled to drive in Gibson, giving Ball State a 5-0 lead after the opening inning.
Indiana State responded with one run in the bottom of the first. Madison Poulson and Morgan Goodrich both walked, and wild pitches allowed them to move into scoring position.
After Poulson was thrown out at home, Goodrich crossed the plate on a passed ball, putting Indiana State on the board at 5-1 to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 4th, Indiana State chipped away at the deficit with another run. Brailey Mills walked, advanced on two wild pitches, and scored on a clutch double by Lauren Marsicek, who also moved Kapelka to third.
However, a pop-up and a double play ended the scoring opportunity, bringing the Sycamores within 5-2 after four innings.
In the 5th inning, the Sycamores added one to the board as Sophie Esposito drew a walk, followed by Livi Colip's single to right field.
After a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position, Esposito crossed the plate on a walk to Peyton Simmons, leaving the score at 5-3.
Lauren Sackett came in to pitch in the 6th inning, where she retired all three batters she faced with strikeouts, showcasing her dominant performance in relief.
Despite Indiana State's continued efforts, Ball State was able to retire the final three batters in the bottom of the 7th to secure the 5-3 victory.
The Sycamores managed just three hits in the game, with Lauren Marsicek recording two and Livi Colip adding one.
Annie Waggoner (0-2) took the loss in just her second start of the year, allowing five runs on six hits in 3.0 innings of work in the midweek matchup.
Hailey Griffin followed with 2.0 scoreless innings, allowing no hits and one walk.
Lauren Sackett closed out the game with 2.0 innings of perfect relief, striking out three batters.
Up Next:
The Sycamores are set to hit the road for a three-game MVC matchup against Drake in Des Moines, Iowa, this weekend, March 28-30.
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