JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 5, 2024) – ETSU junior Sara Muir belted her fourth home run of the season to give ETSU a 1-0 in game two of Tuesday's doubleheader against Ball State. Unfortunately, the blast over the left field fence was not enough to force a split as the Cardinals rallied for an 8-1 win over the Bucs at Betty Basler Field. Ball State took the opener 6-0.
 
With the setbacks, ETSU dropped to 4-12 on the season, while Ball State moved to 10-11 on the campaign.
 
In game one, the Cardinals plated two runs in the top of the second, while Francys King (5-5) tossed a four-hit shutout with one strikeout and one walk. Tiare Rieger, filling in for Cameron Young at third base, registered two of the four hits for the Blue & Gold. Sara Muir got the start in the circle and suffered the loss (3-4) after allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits with one walk and one strikeout in 4.2 innings. Cameron Lauretta and Kendall Thackston combined for 2.1 no-hit innings in relief.
 
In the nightcap, Muir gave ETSU a 1-0 lead when she led off the bottom of the fourth inning with her round-tripper. However, Ball State responded with four runs in the fifth and seventh innings to rally for the seven-run victory.
 
Brylee Mesusan went 2-for-3, while Muir reached base twice as she had the homer and walk.
 
Taylor Suchy (0-4) got the start in the circle and suffered the loss after being charged for three runs on five hits with three strikeouts and zero walks in 4.1 innings. Bridie Murphy (4-3) earned the win after allowing the one run on four hits with three strikeouts and three walks in the complete game effort.
 
The Bucs are back in action on Wednesday when ETSU hosts Radford in a non-conference doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. from Betty Basler Field.
 
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