Ball State's hopes of another NCAA Tournament berth came to an end in the Mid-American Conference Tournament Friday.
Ball State fell to Miami 4-1 in the early afternoon, eliminating itself from the MAC Tournament due to the double elimination rule.
Early in the game, Ball State held a 1-0 lead off of a sacrifice fly from freshman first baseman Taylor Rager in the bottom of the first inning.
In the top of the fourth inning, however, Miami took the lead with one swing of the bat. Miami third baseman Daniela Torres smacked a three-run home run to left field to give the RedHawks a 3-1 lead.
Miami added another run in the top of the seventh inning when center fielder Kathryn Russette hit a double to center field to drive in shortstop Meghan Mawn.
On the day, Ball State struggled with its hitting. After Rager's RBI in the first inning, Ball State hitters never reached third base for the rest of the game.
The reason for the offensive struggles was MAC Pitcher of the Year Jessica Simpson. Simpson, who picked up her 27th win on the year, pitched all seven innings for Miami. She gave up four hits and struck out seven batters.
Ball State sophomore right-hander Audra Sanders picked up her 16th loss on the year for the Cardinals. Sanders gave up three hits and three runs in four innings of work.
Coach Craig Nicholson and the rest of the Ball State softball team could not be reached for comment.
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