Ball State University
21-19, 7-2
Bowling Green
13-19, 4-6
Softball Shuts Out BGSU For Second Straight Day
April 12, 2015 | Softball
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - - Behind another strong pitching performance, this time from freshman Carolyn Wilmes (Evansville, Ind./Mater Dei), the Ball State softball team closed the week with a 9-0 (5 inning) win over Bowling Green Sunday afternoon at Meserve Field.
In improving to 21-19 (7-2 Mid-American Conference), the Cardinals picked up their third complete game shutout win of the weekend with one in Friday's doubleheader at Toledo and two against the Falcons (13-18 / 4-6 MAC).
“I am really proud of the way we played today,” Ball State head coach Tyra Perry said. “We caught the balls that were hit, Carolyn hit her pitches and we had quality at bats throughout the game. We saw a lot of quality play today. Overall, I am excited about our pitching performances this weekend. Nicole was masterful in both her outings and Carolyn really came through today and threw extremely well. Jocelyn also did her job today, coming in at the end of the game and throwing an important pitch to get the final out with bases loaded.”
In Sunday's win it was Wilmes' turn to dominate in the circle, as she held the Falcons to just three hits over 4.2 innings of work. Two of the hits, however, came after a Ball State error which would have ended the game. Wilmes also logged a pair of strikeouts.
Sophomore Jocelyn Rivera (Brooklyn, Ohio/Brooklyn) entered the game in relief of Wilmes with bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the fifth, inducing a game-ending pop foul to third on her first and only pitch.
On offense, the Cardinals bats came to life early as they posted three runs on four hits and four BGSU errors in the top of the first inning. With one out, senior Loren Cihlar (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) reached base on BGSU's first error and advanced to third on a single from junior second baseman Emily Dabkowski (Plainfield, Ill./South Putnam). Senior right fielder Hanne Stuedemann (Mattawan, Mich./Mattawan) followed with a RBI single to left-center to drive in the game first run.
With runners at the corners, Stuedemann proceeded to steal second and an errant throw to the bag allowed Dabkowski to come home. Senior designated player Jessica Craft (LaPorte, Ind./LaPorte) followed with a fly out to deep center field, moving Stuedemann to third, while another BGSU error on the throw in allowed Stuedemann to score.
Ball State extended its lead to 4-0 in the top of the second on another RBI single from Stuedemann. Cihlar scored on the play after reaching base on a fielder's choice and stealing second with two outs.
The Cardinals added another run in the top of the fourth, starting with a one-out walk to junior shortstop Selena Reyna (Houston, Texas/South Houston). Cihlar followed with a RBI double over a drawn-in outfield which found its way to the wall in left-center field.
Ball State scored its final four runs in the top of the fifth, starting with a one-out double by sophomore catcher Shelbie Scamihorn (Terre Haute, Ind./South Vigo). With sophomore India Steward (Matteson, Ill./Western Kentucky/Rich South) in to pinch run at second, freshman third baseman Julia Bailey (Lafayette, La./Teurlings Catholic) dropped a blooper into center field to give BSU a pair of base runners. Junior third baseman Sammi Cowger (Fenton, Mich./Fenton) followed with a RBI single through the right side to push the Cardinals ahead 6-0. Two batters later, Reyna deposited a three-run blast over the left-center field wall to cap the scoring at 9-0.
The Ball State softball team returns to action Tuesday, when it hosts Butler for a 3 p.m. first pitch at the Softball Field at the First Merchants Ballpark Complex.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB and @TyraPerry13 / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSoftball.
- BallStateSports.com –
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Wilmes, Carolyn (6-5)
L: Kertes, Jamie (7-9)
Batting:
2B: Cihlar, Loren 1 ; Scamihorn, Shelbie 1
HR: Reyna, Selena 1
RBI: Reyna, Selena 3 ; Cihlar, Loren 1 ; Stuedemann, Hanne 2 ; Cowger, Sammi 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Reyna, Selena 2 ; Cihlar, Loren 2 ; Dabkowski, Emily 1 ; Stuedemann, Hanne 1 ; Steward, India 1 ; Bailey, Julia 1 ; O'Conner, Kirsten 1
SB: Cihlar, Loren 2 ; Stuedemann, Hanne 1
Base Running:
HBP: Searle, Aspen 1
