Late Home Run Helps Butler Rally Past Softball

MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State softball team fell one out short of a victory Tuesday at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex, as Butler tied the score with a two-out, two-run home run in the seventh and went on to claim a 6-4 victory in 11 innings.

The Cardinals (21-20), who were 4-0 in extra-inning games entering the contest, had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the seventh with runners at first and second and one out. Unfortunately, the Butler (17-22) defense was able to force an infield fly before their right fielder snagged a hard liner off the bat of senior right fielder Hanne Stuedemann (Mattawan, Mich./Mattawan) to rob Ball State of the potential game-winning run and extend the game.

“After the game, we talked about having respect for your field, for your program and fighting for each pitch,” Ball State head coach Tyra Perry said. “We had numerous opportunities to put Butler away, but we just let them hang around and did not dominate in the way we know how. We also talked about deciding what type of team we want to be. We have had some really good games lately, but we cannot let another team come in and beat us on our home field in extra innings.”

Offensively, the Cardinals were led by the top of the order as junior leadoff batter and shortstop Selena Reyna (Houston, Texas/South Houston) and senior two-hole batter and left fielder Loren Cihlar (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) combined for seven of the team's 12 hits. Cihlar went 4-for-4 on the day and added a walk, while Rayna was 3-for-5 with a walk, two runs scored and a RBI.

After shutting down the Butler offense in the top of the first, the Cardinals countered with two runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 2-0 lead. Reyna and Cihlar opened the home half of the inning with back-to-back singles, while a Bulldogs' error on a sacrifice bunt attempt from junior second baseman Emily Dabkowski (Plainfield, Ind./South Putnam) allowed the first run to cross the plate. After a failed double steal which saw Cihlar thrown out at home and Dabkowski move to second, Stuedemann doubled to center field to give Ball State a two-run lead.

Following a scoreless second inning, the Bulldogs managed to tie the score in the top of the third on a one out RBI single from Alyssa Lach and a two-out RBI single from Maria Leichty.

The game remained tied at 2-2 until the bottom of the fifth, when the Cardinals reclaimed the two-run lead at 4-2. Reyna drove in the first run with a double down the right field line which plated sophomore center fielder Taylor Cooley (Chelsea, Mich./Chelsea) who singled and advanced to second one batter earlier. After Cihlar singled and Dabkowski was intentionally walked, Stuedemann singled up the middle to drive another Ball State run. Unfortunately, base running miscues would haunt the Cardinals in the inning, as two runners were thrown out at home, while a bases loaded pickoff play ended the inning.

Ball State looked poised to win the game with two outs in the top of the seventh, but a two-run home run from Butler's Riley Carter tied the score. After the Bulldogs' defense help the game reach extra innings, the guests pushed the winning runs across the plate in the top of 11th on a sacrifice fly from Chelsea Norwood and a RBI single from Leichty.

Freshman Carolyn Wilmes (Evansville, Ind./Mater Dei) turned in a strong pitching effort for Ball State, logging a career-high six strikeouts while holding Butler to seven hits and a pair of runs over 5.2 innings of work in two different stints in the circle.

The Ball State softball team returns to action Friday, when it hosts Western Michigan in a 1 p.m. doubleheader for the top spot in the Mid-American Conference West Division standings. The Cardinals are 7-2 in league play, while the Broncos are 6-2.

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 –

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Team Stats

Loren Cihlar

Selena Reyna

Hanne Stuedemann

Leigh McAnally

Players Mentioned

Loren Cihlar

Taylor Cooley

Emily Dabkowski

Selena Reyna

Hanne Stuedemann

Carolyn Wilmes

Players Mentioned

Loren Cihlar

Taylor Cooley

Emily Dabkowski

Selena Reyna

Hanne Stuedemann

Carolyn Wilmes