Softball Falters in Contests to Ball State, Illinois State

Saturday, March 11

Boca Raton, Fla.

11:15 AM

Rutgers University

3-15

Illinois State

8-11

Illinois St.

Rutgers

Softball Falters in Contests to Ball State, Illinois State

Mar 11 | Softball

Box Score

March 11, 2017

Final Stats

BOCA RATON, FLA. - On day two of the Parents' Weekend Tournament, Rutgers softball suffered two setbacks to Ball State and Illinois State on Saturday at the FAU Softball Stadium. RU (3-15) first dropped a 12-4 contest to the Cardinals (11-15) before being topped 13-2 to the Redbirds (8-11).

GAME ONE - BALL STATE
Despite beginning the contest with a 2-0 lead, Rutgers softball fell to Ball State, 12-4.

Five different Scarlet Knights recorded a hit in the contest as junior Rebecca Hall led the way with a two-run home run. Freshman Cambria Keefer suffered the loss for RU.

Ball State was led by Janae Hogg with three hits and two RBIs. Haley Dominique registered a team-high three RBIs. Alyssa Rothwell claimed the win in the circle.

Rutgers loaded the bases in the top of the first on two walks and base hit for senior Carly Todd. A wild pitch for Ball State's Rothwell sent freshman Taryn Atlee home for a 1-0 Scarlet Knight edge.

After senior Shayla Sweeney registered a scoreless frame in the circle, Rutgers added to its lead as an RBI single for sophomore Nicolette Anico pushed the RU lead to 2-0 in the second frame.

In the bottom of the third, Ball State tied up the score with two runs on four hits, including a solo home run for Amanda Arnett. RU would escape a bases loaded situation as freshman Hailey Hoklotubbe recorded the third out in foul territory to keep the count knotted, 2-2.

The Cardinals would go on to take the lead, 4-2, with two runs on three hits in the bottom of the fourth, including a go ahead solo homer for King to lead off the frame.

Hall countered with a home run of her own in the fifth, bringing in two runs to tie the score, 4-4.

However, in the bottom of the fifth, Ball State rallied eight runs on five hits to conclude the game.

GAME TWO - ILLINOIS STATE
Although Rutgers would hold the score tied at 2-2 to start the game, Illinois State posted nine runs in the top of the third to gain a lead it would never relinquish.

Hall led RU with two hits, while freshman Nicole Bowman added a home run in the loss. Sophomore Whitney Jones faced the setback in the circle.

The Redbirds were led by Riley Strandgard and Allison Spence with three hits each. Jordan de los Reyes notched two home runs, totaling three RBIs. Sarah Finck picked up the complete game victory.

Illinois State established a 2-0 edge in the top of the first on three hits and an RU error.

Bowman then responded by blasting a two-run home run over the right field fence to tie up the score, 2-2, in the bottom of the inning

However, in the top of the third, the Redbirds used seven hits, including three home runs, to grow their lead by nine. With two outs, an RBI double for Annie Heineman scored the go ahead run and fueled the Redbird offense for its rally to an 11-2 lead.

In the top of the fourth, senior Bridget Carr entered the circle with the bases loaded to record the final out and allow no runs to cross. However, RU would strand two runners on the bottom of the frame.

The Redbirds tacked on two more runs to open the fifth for a 13-2 advantage.

Junior Jacqueline Kott notched her second hit of the season after entering to pinch hit in the bottom of the frame. However, it was not enough to ignite a comeback as RU stranded two runners in the contest's final inning.

KNIGHT NOTES
-Rebecca Hall registered her sixth home run of the season to match her career season-high. Hall also hit six home runs in her freshman season. It marked the 16^th of her career.
-Nicole Bowman added the third home run of her career.
-Bridget Carr saw her first career action in the circle, pitching the final 1.1 innings of the game against Illinois State. Carr picked up her first strikeout in the outing.

Follow Rutgers Softball on Twitter (@RUSoftball) and Instagram (@RU_Softball) for all of the latest news and updates. The team is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersSB). For all Rutgers Athletics news follow us on Twitter (@RUAthletics), Instagram (@RUAthletics), Snapchat (@RUAthletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics).