Ball State University
27-22, 0
Akron
20-23, 0
Four RBI From Cihlar Helps Softball Top Akron 9-3
April 25, 2015 | Softball
AKRON, Ohio - - A pair of two-run singles from senior left fielder Loren Cihlar (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) helped lift the Ball State softball team to a 9-3 Mid-American Conference victory Saturday afternoon at Akron's Lee R. Jackson Field.
With the win, the Cardinals improve to 27-22 on the year and maintain a share of the top spot in the league standings with a 12-4 MAC record. The Zips fall to 20-23 (7-9 MAC) after suffering its third league loss of the weekend.
Junior shortstop Selena Reyna (Houston, Texas/South Houston) wasted little time getting the Cardinals on the scoreboard, leading off the game with a solo home run.
Ball State would extend its lead to 3-0 in the top of the second inning thanks to Cihlar's first two-run single of the day. Freshman third baseman Julia Bailey (Lafayette, La./Teurlings Catholic) and sophomore center fielder Taylor Cooley (Chelsea, Mich./Chelsea) scored on the play after reaching base on a fielder's choice and single, respectively. A sacrifice bunt from Reyna then moved the pair of base runners into scoring position, setting up Cihlar's first two RBI hit.
The Zips countered with single runs in the bottom of the second, third and fourth innings to eventually even the score at 3-3. However, another strong relief appearance from junior pitcher Kelsey Schifferdecker (Belton, Mo./Belton) kept Akron off the board the remainder of the day. In earning her fourth win of the season (4-1), Schifferdecker limited the Zips' offense to just three hits and a walk over the final 3.1 innings.
After being held silent for three straight innings, the Cardinals rallied behind a one-out home run from junior first baseman Sammi Cowger (Fenton, Mich./Fenton) in the top of the sixth to take control of the game. Following the solo blast which proved to be the game-winning run, sophomore pinch hitter Rachel Houck (Greenfield, Ind./Mt. Vernon/Louisville) and Cooley notched back-to-back singles, while a walk to Reyna loaded the bases. Cihlar followed with her second two-run single of the game, giving Ball State a 6-3 edge.
The Cardinals' rally was not complete, however, as junior second baseman Emily Dabkowski (Plainfield, Ind./South Putnam) capped the scoring with a three-run home run to left-center field. It was Dabkowski's team-leading 14th long ball of the season.
Overall, four Cardinals finished the day with a pair of hits apiece, including Reyna, Cihlar, Cooley and senior right fielder Hanne Stuedemann (Mattawan, Mich./Mattawan) who has reached base safely in each of the last 25 games. Cihlar led Ball State with four RBI, while Dabkowski tallied three.
Junior Nicole Steinbach (Merrillville, Ind./Andrean) started the game in the circle for Ball State, limiting Akron to six hits and three runs over the game's first 3.2 innings.
Ball State and Akron will cap their two-game set Sunday, with a schedule 1 p.m. first pitch at Lee R. Jackson field in Akron, Ohio.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB and @TyraPerry13 / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSoftball.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Schifferdecker, Kelsey (4-1)
L: SEILER, Erin (20-15)
Batting:
2B: Stuedemann, Hanne 1
HR: Reyna, Selena 1 ; Dabkowski, Emily 1 ; Cowger, Sammi 1
RBI: Reyna, Selena 1 ; Cihlar, Loren 2 ; Dabkowski, Emily 3 ; Cowger, Sammi 1
SH: Reyna, Selena 1 ; Craft, Jessica 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Reyna, Selena 2 ; Cihlar, Loren 1 ; Dabkowski, Emily 1 ; Cowger, Sammi 1 ; Bailey, Julia 1 ; Houck, Rachel 1 ; Cooley, Taylor 2
SB: Craft, Jessica 1
Batting:
2B: FRUIN, Savannah 1 ; KIRIAN, Taylor 2
RBI: NICHOLAS, Alyssa 1 ; KIRIAN, Taylor 1 ; PEARSON, Sara 1
SH: FRUIN, Savannah 1 ; KIRIAN, Taylor 1 ; PEARSON, Sara 1
SF: ROUDABUSH, Kellie 1 ; PEARSON, Sara 1
Base Running:
RUNS: ALLMON, Taryn 1 ; FRUIN, Savannah 1 ; GILLESPIE, Cassie 1
CS: GAMBONE, Caitlin 1
