Dayton, Ohio – Facing one of the top teams in the nation, the University of Dayton softball team struggled against the Ball State Cardinals, losing 7-2 and 5-0 this afternoon.
Senior Anne Maci and Freshman Kathleen Maloof both smacked individual home runs to give the Flyers their two runs. Maci’s came in the third inning. With one out, she blasted one over the center field wall to get the Flyers on the board. Late in the game, Maloof had her opportunity and sent one flying over the back wall.
Throughout both games the Flyers struggled to find an offensive rhythm that would produce runs.
The Flyers started strong in the first game, allowing only three runs in four innings. Despite the loss, the Flyers out hit the Cardinals six to five; six different Flyers had a hit in the first game. The inability to string together hits caused UD trouble.
Senior Eva Rappe (4-3) came in at relief and pitched two strong innings. She allowed no runs, no hits and struck out one. Amanda Daly (2-5) took the loss while striking out four.
Junior Sarah Wedel (3-6) started the second game and pitched a solid four innings, striking out two and holding the Cardinals to only two runs. Rappe entered during the fifth and of the three runs scored only one was earned.
The second game was similar to the first, defensively the Flyers started strong. They were able to hold the Cardinals to only three runs through six innings.
Down only three in the sixth, UD looked like they might stage a comeback. Leadoff batter Courtney Kutsulis quickly got on base with a sharp one up the middle. Megan Lee, Dayton’s best pitch hitter, stepped in but a miss-hit bunt resulted in a double play. Maci followed with a double to left but would be left stranded on second.
The Dayton pitching staff finished the game allowing 10 hits, five runs and striking out three. The Cardinals allowed four hits, no runs and also struck out three.
The Flyers start conference play on Friday, March 26 against LaSalle at UD Stadium at 3 p.m. ET and face the Explorers again on Saturday at noon ET.
