Ball State University
11-13
Murray State
7-9
Eight-Run Sixth Helps Softball Rally Past Murray State
March 12, 2016 | Softball
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - - Trailing 4-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth, the Ball State softball team's patience at the plate paid big dividends as six of the first eight batters drew walks to help the Cardinals' (11-13) rally past Murray State for a 9-5 victory Saturday morning at Jacksonville's Debbie & Fred Pruitt Softball Complex.
The Racers (7-9) jumped out to a 1-0 lead after the first inning, and extended its lead to 4-0 in the top of the third as a pair of two-out Ball State errors helped Murray State score three unearned runs.
Senior pitcher Nicole Steinbach would not be deterred, however, as she retired 10 of the next 12 Racers following a three-run double in the bottom of the third. In picking up her eighth victory of the season, Steinbach limited Murray State to eight hits and a pair of earned runs over 7.0 innings of work. She also struck out four batters in the game, while having a hand in a pair of double plays, including one which ended the game.
After being held scoreless over the first four innings, the Cardinals bats showed signs of life in the bottom of the fifth, starting when freshman third baseman Madeline Porter smashed a single through the left side to open the inning. After Porter moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Ball State second baseman Becca Rodriguez, a two out double to right-center from senior right fielder Selena Reyna drove in the Cardinals' first run of the game.
Trailing 4-1, the Cardinals batters drew five straight walks to open the bottom of the sixth and move within one run at 4-3. Rodriguez then evened the score at 4-4 as she reached base on a RBI fielder's choice to shortstop. After a two-out walk to Reyna loaded the bases once again, junior center fielder Rachel Houck logged the Cardinals' first hit of the inning, a RBI single to left field to drive the go-ahead run at 5-4.
Ball State was not done there, as a two-run double down the right field line from senior shortstop Emily Dabkowski pushed the Cardinals ahead 7-5. Junior third baseman Amanda Arnett followed with a two-run single to right-center driving in Ball State's final two runs of the inning, making the score 9-4.
Murray State attempted to rally in the top of the seventh, with back-to-back singles to open the inning. A one-out RBI single cut the Ball State lead to 9-5, but a grounder back to Steinbach in the circle by the fifth Racers batter of the inning led to a game-ending 1-6-3 double play.
Dabkowski and Arnett led the Cardinals with two hits apiece in the rematch versus Murray State, while Houck, Reyna and Porter added one each.
The Ball State softball team closes the first day of action at the Jacksonville Tournament later this afternoon with a scheduled 2 p.m. first pitch versus the host Dolphins.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSoftball.
- BallStateSports.com –
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Steinbach, Nicole (8-5)
L: VAN DUYSE, Amber (0-2)
Batting:
2B: RODGERS, Jocelynn 1 ; ODOM, Taylor 2
RBI: TWADDLE, Jessica 1 ; RODGERS, Jocelynn 1 ; ODOM, Taylor 3
SH: FEENEY, Maddy 1
Base Running:
RUNS: MILLER, Shelbey 2 ; FEENEY, Maddy 1 ; TWADDLE, Jessica 1 ; RODGERS, Jocelynn 1
HBP: MILLER, Shelbey 1
Batting:
2B: Reyna, Selena 1 ; Dabkowski, Emily 2
RBI: Reyna, Selena 1 ; Houck, Rachel 1 ; Dabkowski, Emily 2 ; Arnett, Amanda 2 ; Sandberg, Elise 1 ; Porter, Madeline 1 ; Rodriguez, Becca 1
SH: Steward, India 1 ; Rodriguez, Becca 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Reyna, Selena 1 ; Houck, Rachel 1 ; Dabkowski, Emily 2 ; Arnett, Amanda 1 ; Steward, India 1 ; Porter, Madeline 2 ; Rodriguez, Becca 1
