Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 CLEARWATER, Fla. (March 6, 2010) – Rutgers softball (4-10) split day two of the USF Under Armour Invitational Saturday, falling to Ball State, 7-5, in game one while winning the rematch with the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, 7-0, in game two. Senior ace Nicole Lindley (Cicero, N.Y.) allowed just three hits against Chattanooga (12-6), going a full seven innings and giving up no runs, while striking out two.
In game two, Rutgers broke the 0-0 stalemate with a four-run sixth inning. Junior Jen Meinheit (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) singled up the middle with one out and sophomore Brittany Lindley (Cicero, N.Y.) brought her home with a triple to right center – her first of the year. Sophomore Mikelyn Messina (Prospect, Conn.) walked and then stole second to put runners at second and third. Junior Mandy Craig (Manassas, Va.) walked to fill the bases and freshman Jennifer Harabedian (Flemington, N.J.) responded with an infield RBI single to put the Scarlet Knights up 2-0.
The rally continued with a wild pitch and a RBI fielder’s choice by sophomore Lindsey Curran (Monroe, Twp., N.J.) to put RU up 4-0 going into the bottom of the sixth.
Brittany Lindley doubled down the left field line, advancing Meinheit to third base with one out in the eighth inning. UTC’s Brooke Loudermilk came in to relieve Kandice Irwin, but threw seven illegal pitches that scored Meinheit and Brittany Lindley and walked Messina. Craig brought Messina home on a RBI single through the right side to make the score 7-0.
UTC had beaten RU, 6-5 in eight innings, last weekend at the Frost Classic.
Rutgers took the lead early against Ball State (9-5) in the bottom of the first inning. Brittany Lindley put down a bunt single and advanced freshman Ashley Bragg (Middletown, Del.), who had reached first on an error by BSU shortstop Alicia Barkley. Messina sent a two-bagger to right field for two RBI, putting the Scarlet Knights up, 2-0.
RU struggled in the fourth inning, as Ball State knocked out all seven of its runs on six hits and one error. Jessie Ware started the inning with a triple and Amanda Montalto scored her with a single to center field. Two doubles, a 2 RBI single and a Amanda Carpenter stealing home capped off the offensive inning for the Cardinals.
The Scarlet Knights would come back with three runs in the bottom of the seventh, but it would not be enough. Junior Mickenzie Alden (Spokane, Wash.) started the inning with a hard hit to left field and Meinheit advanced the runner with another single to the seven spot. With two outs, Messina homered for three RBI, but it would be all the scoring the Scarlet Knights could muster.
Sophomore Noelle Sisco (Towaco, N.J.) earned the nod and the loss, going three innings with four runs on six hits while fanning one.
The Scarlet Knights are back on the diamond tomorrow for the final day of the USF Under Armour Invitational against Western Michigan at 11 a.m.
