For the second consecutive year, the Ball State University softball team used the mercy rule to defeat Indiana University in six innings.
Ball State (27-21) scored eight runs while shutting out Indiana (12-28) on Tuesday to enact the eight runs through five innings mercy rule on the Hoosiers.
"It was pretty exciting," shortstop Alicia Barkley said. "We all went out and wanted to beat them really bad and wanted to prove that we are the best team in Indiana, and I think we did that."
In addition to outscoring Indiana eight to zero, the Cardinals also outhit the Hoosiers seven to four in Tuesday's contest. The Ball State batters reached base an additional 10 times on walks compared to zero for Indiana, who also struck out four times compared to the Cardinals' two.
"We played well," coach Craig Nicholson said. "I thought we played well in all phases of the game.
"I think it's a big win anytime we can beat an in-state rival, especially when you talk about a Big Ten team."
Like in last year's mercy-rule victory against Indiana, Elizabeth Milian picked up the win on the mound for Ball State. Although she did not throw a one-hitter like she did last year against the Hoosiers, Milian limited Indiana to four hits in the ball game. She also struck out four batters and did not allow a walk in the six-inning shutout.
"She had a good day," Nicholson said. "She was hitting her spots. She gave up two hits early and made some adjustments and shut them down the last three innings."
Milian also helped her cause at the plate. In the top of the second inning, Milian followed a lead-off home run by Amanda Pick with a solo shot of her own to give Ball State a 2-0 lead. It was the fourth home run of the season for Pick, who went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and the third for Milian, who was 1-for-2 with two walks and an RBI.
Nicholson said it is big for the Cardinals to generate early runs.
"We're pretty darn good when we score first," he said.
In addition to the runs generated by Milian and Pick, Barkley added to the offensive production with a team-high three RBIs. The freshman was 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and her first career triple.
Two of Barkley's RBIs came off her double in the sixth inning that put the team ahead 7-0. She then scored the game's decisive run on a single to left field by Pick.
Like it was big to generate early runs, Nicholson said, it was also important for the Cardinals to put a team away late in the game after they had struggled with that this season.
"We just have to work on that mentality of closing people out when we have the opportunity," he said.
With the defeat of Indiana, Ball State now turns its attention to another Big Ten school from Indiana. The Cardinals will play host to Purdue University at 4 p.m. at the BSU Softball Complex.
Purdue is a tough team, Nicholson said, but when the Cardinals are playing well, they can compete with anyone.
"I'm definitely not expecting the same result we had [Tuesday]," he said, "but we can compete with them, and if we play well we have a chance to win any ball game."
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