Going 1-1 in its opening weekend series against Eastern Michigan, Ball State continued its season struggles with consistency on both sides of the ball.
In the first game of the doubleheader, Ball State took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning after freshman first baseman Taylor Rager ripped a two-run double to left field.
In the bottom of the third, Eastern Michigan tied the score off a double by senior Stacie Skodinski and a single by junior Sarah Gerber.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, senior Lauren Delapaz crushed a two-run home run to left field and Gerber scored later in the inning off a Ball State error to give the Eagles a 5-2 lead.
Senior third baseman Kate Wilczynski smacked a solo home run to left field in the top of sixth, ending the scoring for both teams.
Sophomore right-hander Audra Sanders picked up the loss for Ball State, giving up 10 hits and five runs in six innings of work.
During its final game of the day Friday, Ball State got back to doing what it does best: scoring runs late in the ball game.
In the top of the seventh inning, freshman designated hitter Jennifer Gilbert continued her late-inning heroics, drawing a go-ahead walk with the bases loaded to score sophomore Hannah Zimmerman.
Junior right-hander Kim Mazzapica sealed the deal for Ball State in the bottom of the seventh inning after Eastern Michigan junior Allison Scherer struck out looking to end the game.
Mazzapica pitched all seven innings for Ball State, giving up two hits and one run while striking out four batters.
Ball State travels to Mt. Pleasant, Mich. on Saturday to play conference foe Central Michigan.
First pitch starts at 2 p.m.
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