Final Stats

PDF Boxscore

MUNCIE, Ind. â€" The Ohio softball team (20-11, 2-2 MAC) fell to Ball State (15-18, 1-3 MAC), 2-1, in the first game of a three-game series on Friday afternoon in Muncie, Ind. Due to inclement weather, the Bobcats will now wrap up the series with a doubleheader tomorrow (April 2) starting at 11 a.m.

Ball State got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning when India Steward hit a homerun to rightfield, giving the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.

After very little from either offense, the Bobcats evened the score in the top of the fifth inning. Pinch hitter Morgan Geno (Chillicothe, Ohio) took the first pitch of the inning and sent it up the middle. Alex Day (Hilliard, Ohio) re-entered the game to run for Geno and advanced to second on a passed ball. Day would advance to third on a sacrifice bunt by Hutchinson, then with two outs, Michaela Dorsey (Grove City, Ohio) would smash the ball to the left centerfield wall, scoring Day and tying the game at 1-1.

The Bobcats made noise in the top of the sixth inning. Deanna Cole (Akron, Ohio) would lead the inning off with a double to centerfield, Mikayla Cooper (Delaware, Ohio) would reach after she was hit by a pitch and Day would walk to load the bases with two outs. However, the Bobcats could not capitalize and they would end the inning still tied at 1-1.

Ball State regained the lead when Emily Dabkowski reached base on a hit to rightfield. She would then score when Rachel Houk roped the ball to right field, giving the Cardinals a 2-1 lead. Ohio would not be able to rally in the seventh inning, and would fall by the final of 2-1.

In the circle, Savannah Jo Dorsey (Grove City, Ohio) pitched six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and would strikeout eight.

Offensively, Ohio had four hits with Cole, Cooper, Geno and Michaela Dorsey all getting on hit apiece.

The Bobcats return to action to wrap up the series on Saturday (April 2) for a doubleheader set to begin at 11 a.m.

#BleedGreen