Wasted opportunities cost the Ball State University softball team this weekend, as it lost three of its five games at the UT-Martin Tournament.
The missed opportunities cost the Cardinals (7-8) in their second game Saturday against the host University of Tennessee at Martin. Ball State took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning, but an error with two outs prolonged the inning. The next batter hit a two-run home run, which scored two-unearned runs, which sent the game into extra innings with UT-Martin winning in the ninth 4-3.
"The timing of that one was obviously awful," coach Craig Nicholson said.
Though the error cost the team, Nicholson said, so did other missed opportunities such as the five runners left on base, four of which were in scoring position, prior to it.
Ball State also lost 1-0 to the University of Northern Iowa Sunday, as it left seven runners on base. Five of the seven runners left on base were in scoring position, including two in both the six and seventh innings. In the seventh inning, Ball State had the bases loaded but could not convert.
"We didn't execute great in some certain situations," Nicholson said.
Senior Amanda Pick said Ball State did not play its game and played down to its opponents.
"We weren't really focused," she said. "We were playing down to their level."
The Cardinals found their focus in the final game of the weekend against Dartmouth College as they posted 15 runs, including 10 in the seventh for a 15-1 win.
Of the team's 12 hits, seven of them came in the final inning as Ball State had its largest offensive output of the season.
"We played a solid game in the last game," Nicholson said. "I thought earlier in the game again we gave away some opportunities."
Pick highlighted the Cardinals' offense against Dartmouth as she went five-for-five with three runs, three RBIs and a home run, which came in the 10 run seventh.
Nicholson said the Cardinals need people to produce around Pick.
"It seems right now we get one or two people hot and everybody else is struggling," he said.
Nicholson said he was happy with the Cardinals' pitching staff throughout the weekend.
Tiffany Garofano got the win against Indiana State University Saturday as she pitched all seven innings, allowing one run on two hits. She lost to Northern Iowa as she allowed one run in seven innings. She struck out 12 batters on the weekend.
Elizabeth Milian lost the game against UT-Martin despite not allowing an earned run in 8.2 innings of work. She then picked up the win against Dartmouth.
Laura Masch picked up the loss against the University of Minnesota Saturday as she allowed the three runs on six hits in the complete six innings of work.
Despite the weekend of ups and downs, Nicholson said, he thought the team played well. The way the Cardinals are playing and improving, he said, they could make some noise in the Mid-American Conference.
"I think we're playing really well," Nicholson said. "We're getting ourselves in position to win every game. It's still about finishing it out."
Tourney ResultsSaturday
- 5 BSU - 1 Indiana State
- 4 UT-Martin - 3 BSU
- 3 Minnesota - 0 BSU
- 1 Northern Iowa - 0 BSU
- 15 BSU - 1 Dartmouth
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