Ball State University
13-14
Massachusetts
5-14
Softball Opens Maryland Invitational with 2-0 Win over UMass
March 18, 2016 | Softball
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - - For the second straight appearance, Ball State softball senior pitcher Nicole Steinbach dominated the opposition, holding UMass to just four hits in a 2-0 victory Friday afternoon in the opening game of the Maryland Invitational played at the Maryland Softball Stadium.
Despite being under the weather, the Cardinals' (13-14) senior ace picked up her second consecutive complete game shutout victory, and her third of the season, by also striking out five batters and issuing just two walks. Steinbach, who improved to 10-5 on the year, raised her career shutout total to 15 which is tied for fourth in program history.
"Nicole is a tough kid,” Ball State head coach Megan Ciolli Bartlett said. “She wasn't feeling 100% today and she didn't have her best pitch. However, she still found a way to get it done, which is exactly what we expect from a senior on the mound."
The Cardinals needed another dominating performance from Steinbach, who was locked into a pitcher's duel with Minutewomen (5-14) starter Meg Colleran for much of the game. Ball State did not get its first base runner until the top of the fifth inning, and finished the game with just a pair of hits.
"Our hitters were resilient today,” Bartlett said. “The opposing pitcher did a nice job and was throwing hard. We finally made some key adjustments from the plate in the late innings and it paid off."
Colleran was perfect through 4.2 innings, before Ball State junior first baseman Amanda Arnett drew a walk. Arnett would go on to steal second before a strikeout ended the Cardinals threat in the top of the fifth.
Ball State would get its second base runner in the top of the sixth, thanks to a one-out walk from freshman second baseman Becca Rodriguez. With freshman pinch runner Madeline Porter on first, senior right fielder Selena Reyna broke up the no-hitter with a single through the right side. Freshman designated player Madison Lee then continued her solid play, driving in what proved to be the game-winning run with a RBI single through the right side.
Steinbach took control of the game from there, retiring six of the final seven Minutewomen batters, including striking out the final batters of both the sixth and seventh innings.
The Cardinals added an insurance run in the top of the seventh, after junior left fielder India Steward reached base on a leadoff error and came around to score on a fielder's choice from sophomore pinch hitter Elise Sandberg.
The Ball State softball team continues play in the Maryland Invitational Saturday with games versus North Dakota State (3:45 p.m.) and host Maryland (8:15 p.m.).
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 (10-5)
L: Meg Colleran (4-8)
Batting:
RBI: Lee, Madison 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Steward, India 1 ; Porter, Madeline 1
SB: Houck, Rachel 1 ; Arnett, Amanda 1
Batting:
SH: Taylor Carbone 1
Base Running:
CS: Kaycee Carbone 1
