A game-winning single by Kris Burdine in the eighth inning Wednesday split a two-game bout with Mid-American Conference rival Akron.
Burdine's grounder back to the mound bounced off Zip's pitcher Meghan MacKenzie, allowing Sarah McGregor to score the winning run. McGregor had reached third after hitting a leadoff double and advanced on Alyssa Huffman's successful bunt.
Ball State's 15 hits in the second game were a season best, but the Cardinals could muster only three runs to Akron's two. Thirteen runners were left on base for Ball State.
"You look at 15 hits and would think we'd score more than three runs. What we need to work at is getting a leadoff batter on base, instead of getting a hit with two outs," coach Terri Laux said.
Three Cardinals -- Burdine, Britni Clark and Crystal Newton -- had three hits, and two others -- Mandy Snyder and Kelli Jeziorski -- collected two.
"We adjusted much better to (Zips pitcher Tina McCauley) in the second game," Laux said. "We didn't let her dictate what we were swinging at like in that first game."
Ball State had to adjust its lineup in the second game after Taylor Yancey injured her knee in the first game. Laux said Yancey's knee is swollen to twice its normal size. Laux said she hopes, however, that Yancey will be available for this weekend against Bowling Green.
"What's another one on crutches?" Laux joked.
The Cardinals (12-24 overall, 5-3 in the MAC) took an early lead in the first inning when Snyder scored off a Clark single. Ball State had other opportunities to score, including in the sixth inning when Newton had a chance to score on a Burdine double, but Laux chose to hold her at third. Laux said her decision was based on Newton's speed.
"The ball was almost at the edge of the infield by the time Crystal was at third," Laux said. "Their infield has very good arms and it was a good relay (to second)."
Akron tied the game in the third inning, then took the lead on Aaren McBride's homerun in the fourth. The Zips could have done more damage in the fifth when the bases were loaded, but pitcher Quincy Duran, whose performance Laux was very pleased with, grounded out the final batter.
"She did a very good job with an umpire that kept changing (the strike zone). She held her composure very well," she said.
Clark's single in the fifth scored Burdine, setting up the final run in extra innings.
In game one, the Zip's McCauley dominated, allowing no runs on two hits and struck out nine. The Zips scored the only run needed in the fourth, when MacKenzie provided an RBI single. Akron added three runs in the sixth and took the victory 4-0. The Zips finished with seven hits.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
