Ball State University Athletics
All-Access: Cardinal Inspiration - Kelsey Schifferdecker
May 12, 2015 | Softball
The 2015 season was slated to be the 'Year of the Pitcher' for Ball State softball. Juniors Nicole Steinbach and Kelsey Schifferdecker, themselves dubbed a tag team and dynamic duo, were in position to take the MAC by storm. But just one game into the season all of that changed.
On February 6th, at a tournament in Nashville, Schifferdecker entered in relief against South Dakota. She navigated a rough fourth inning before getting a clean slate in the fifth. One batter into her first full inning, however, it appeared Schifferdecker's season may have come to an end. A line drive was sent right back up the middle, striking the pitcher on the right side of her face. She suffered an orbital blowout, shattering several bones. Schifferdecker was taken to the hosptial before returning home to Kansas City, MO to recover.
That's where Kelsey's story takes another turn, because her recovery didn't last long. Just 36 days after what for many would be a season, or potentially career-ending injury, Schifferdecker rejoined her team. Two months after the injury she threw another pitch.
Ball State All-Access sits down with Schifferdecker and her Cardinals teammates and coaches to relive the afternoon of February 6th and its aftermath while learning how Schifferdecker both made such a miraculous return and served as an inspiration to her entire team.
The Cardinals are next in action this Friday at 5pm against Notre Dame in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Cardinals are paired with UND, Kentucky and Northwestern in the South Bend Regional. For more information follow the team on social media @BallStateSB.
