Adams’ three-run bomb snags game one victory for ETSU, 3-2  

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 8, 2023) – The first collegiate home run for Faith Adams (Henrico, Va.) in game one of a doubleheader Wednesday afternoon gave ETSU softball its first home win of the year, 3-2, over Ball State.

As the night cooled off, Ball State’s trio of homers in game two gave the away squad the 9-3 victory to split the doubleheader at Betty Basler Field. With a win and loss, the Bucs moved to 4-13 on the year, while Ball State finished the night with a 9-8 record.  

RECORDS

ETSU (4-13)

Ball State (9-8)

NOTABLES

• Adams recorded her first collegiate home run, a three-run homer, in the bottom half of game one — recording her first three RBIs of the season.
• Brianna Bailey (Wewahitchka, Fla.) pitched a full seven innings while striking out four batters for her third win of the year in game one.
• In game two, the Bucs left a runner on base in five of the seven innings – finishing with nine total.
• Back-to-back at-bats for Amaia Daniel resulted in a pair of solo homers to center field for the Cardinals.

GAME ONE RECAP

The Cardinals opened the doubleheader with a pair of singles by Haley Wynn and Amaia Daniel, but Bailey retired the next three batters to shut down any scoring opportunities. After the home squad struggled to find a hit for the first three frames, Riley Nayadley (Ooltewah, Tenn.) record one of two hits for ETSU but was later let stranded after the Bucs grounded out.

Ball State initiated the scoring in the top half of the sixth after Mata reached base via walk and McKenna Mulholland recorded her second homer of the year as she scored Spencer, who pinch ran for Mata.

As a pair of Buccaneers walked to open the home half and a pair of Bucs retired to follow, Adams delivered the game-winning swing after an 10-pitch duel. She, one – recorded her first collegiate home run, two – recorded her first three RBIs of the year and 3 – gave ETSU its first home win of the 2023 campaign.

Bailey closed her complete game performance on a one-two-three top of the seventh inning to give ETSU the thrilling victory.

GAME TWO RECAP

 In a chilly game two, the Cardinals laid the first punch with a pair of runs in the second inning after Richards scored on a wild pitch before Mathews scored a runner with an RBI double to give the visiting team their first lead of the day. In the bottom half, Kaylee Higgins (Chatsworth,Ga.) hit her third RBI of the year, as she scored Makala Strickland (Ooltewah, Tenn.) who touched all the bags after singling to open the bottom half.

In the third inning, Amaia Daniel hit a solo home run before her teammate Richards smashed a three RBI homer over the center field fence to score four total runs for Ball State. In the fourth, Daniel belted another homer to blow the lead open, 7-1.

After Ball State scored a run in the top halves of the fifth and seventh, the Blue and Gold closed in on the deficit with a pair of runs with the help of a Nayadley RBI single and a pair of singles by Kemiah Michel (Gallatin, Tenn.) and Cameron Young (Knoxville, Tenn.). With the bases loaded, the Bucs were unable to capitalize as the home team flew out to end the game.

PITCHERS OF RECORD

ETSU: Brianna Bailey (3-3) – win. | Game two: Sara Muir (0-3) – loss

Ball State: Francys King (1-4) – loss. | Game two: Bridie Murphy (2-0) – win.

UP NEXT

The Bucs will open play at the Bulldog Invitational Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. against Nebraska Omaha in Starkville, Miss.

For more information on Buccaneer softball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the softball tab.