MIAMI SOFTBALL

Carter homer sends Miami past BSU in series opener

MUNCIE, IN  -- Ella Carter's three-run homer in the eighth inning lifted visiting Miami (25-16, 14-1 MAC) to a 7-4 victory over Ball State (24-11, 9-5 MAC) Friday at the BSU Softball Stadium. 
Madi Reeves went the distance for MU, raising her record to 18-6. She allowed seven hits, four runs (3 earned) while striking out three and walking three. 
Ella Whitney (15-4) took the loss. surrendering nine hits and seven runs while striking out four and walking one in 7.1 innings of work. She also hit three batters. 
Sophomore catcher . . . 

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. . .  McKenna Campbell had a big day at the plate for MU. She went 3 for 4 with two RBIs. Chloe Parks (2) and Shelby Kunkel (2) also had multiple hit days, with each driving in two runs.

ACTION NOTES: 
• Miami broke in front early as Campbell singled in Golembiewski and Parks in the first inning. 
• The Cardinals got one back in the third when Hayley Urban singled home Payton Fox. 
• Campbell's leadoff single got the fourth inning rally started. Patton and Danitza Hernandez were hit by pitches to load the bases. Carter drove in one run with a grounder to shortstop. Kaylee Oh brought home another run on a fly to left. 
• Ball State matched Miami's rally with two runs of its own in the bottom half. Kara Gunter's triple drove in one run. She came in on Ashlee Lovett's single to left. 
• The two teams remained locked at 4-3 until  the seventh inning. After a leadoff single, BSU took advantage of a wild pitch and Miami error to score the tying run. 
Another RedHawk error put the potential winning run on base with one out. However, Reeves retired the next two batters. 
• Miami opened its half of the eighth with singles by Campbell and Patton. A sacrifice bunt moved them up. Carter then drilled her decisive homer to left center. 
Reeves allowed a two-out double in BSU's final turn, but she finished the win with a Cardinal fly out. 

MORE NOTES: 
• The RedHawks and Cardinals wrap up their three-game series with two games Saturday. The first game starts starts at 1 p.m., with the second game to follow. Both will be shown on ESPN+
• Ohio (9-2 MAC) remains on the RedHawks (14-1 MAC) heels in the conference standings. The two teams will meet for a three-game series next weekend. Two games will be played on Friday (April 18). beginning at 1 p.m. The Saturday tilt begins at noon. 
• Before the showdown with Ohio, Miami meets Akron for a Tuesday (April 15) doubleheader. The opener starts at 1 p.m.