Ball State University
Boston University
Four-Run Third Inning Helps Softball Edge Boston, 5-4
March 20, 2016 | Softball
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - - Thanks to a pair of key third inning at bats from junior first baseman Amanda Arnett and freshman third baseman Aeshia Miles, the Ball State softball team closed its final pre-conference tournament with a 5-4 victory over Boston Sunday morning at the Maryland Invitational.
“The team did a nice job of being resilient in tough defensive situations this morning, as Boston kept the pressure on us the entire game,” first-year head coach Megan Ciolli Bartlett said. "However, we need to do a better job of making solid contact with runners in scoring position. I do give a lot of credit to Aeshia, as she came up with a big hit today when we needed it."
The Cardinals (14-14) had an opportunity to break the game open in the top of the first, as four consecutive one-out walks to freshman designated player Madison Lee, junior center fielder Rachel Houck, senior shortstop Emily Dabkowski and junior left fielder India Steward brought home the game's first run. Unfortunately, what looked to be a sacrifice fly by Arnett ended up turning into an inning-ending double play, as Houck was called out at home after a strong throw from the Terriers (9-12) left fielder.
Ball State looked poised to score once again in the top of the second, as Miles reached first on a leadoff error and stole second base. Two outs later, senior right fielder Selena Reyna sliced the ball through the right side for what looked to be a RBI single, but another strong throw, this time by the Boston right fielder, ended the second consecutive inning at home plate.
The Terriers ramped up the pressure in the bottom of the second inning, as three singles, including back-to-back two-out hits, helped the hosts on the scoreboard tie the game at 1-1.
The Cardinals countered with some solid two-out hitting of their own in the top of the third to reclaim the lead at 5-1. With Dabkowski on second and two outs after a fielder's choice, Steward shifted the momentum back to the Ball State offense with a bunt single to the third base side which allowed Dabkowski to advance all the way to third.
After Steward stole second to give the Cardinals a pair of runners in scoring position, Arnett drove in the first two runs of the inning with a single to center field. Miles followed by launching her second career home run deep over the fence in left-center field to drive in two more runs, including what stood to be the game-winning marker.
Boston kept the pressure on the Ball State defense, however, countering with a run of its own in the bottom of the third as three of its first four batters reached base via singles. However, Cardinals starting pitcher Carolyn Wilmes battled back to strikeout the next batter and ended the inning by inducing a grounder to short.
Following a scoreless fourth inning, the Terriers added two runs in the bottom of the fifth to cut the Ball State edge to 5-4. Boston opened the inning with a triple and RBI single through the right side to score the first run. Following a sac bunt and fly out to left to get the second runner to third, a RBI bunt single drove in the second run.
After a walk gave BU a pair of runners with two outs, the Ball State defense stole a page from the Terriers' playbook as a strong throw in from Steward on a single to left field caught the runner by a pair of steps trying to reach home for what would have been the game-tying run.
Ball State senior reliever Nicole Steinbach would shut down the Boston offense from there, retiring six of the final seven batters she faced including a strikeout to end the game. In improving to 11-5 on the year, Steinbach picked up the victory after throwing the final 4.0 innings and allowing just four hits and a pair of earned runs. She also struck out four batters. In her 3.0 innings of work, Wilmes allowed just six hits and a pair of earned runs while striking out three.
Overall, the Cardinals pounded out seven hits in the game, with sophomore catcher Leigh McAnally pacing the Ball State offense with a pair of singles for her first multi-hit game of the season.
The Ball State softball team closes the pre-conference portion of its 2016 schedule Wednesday, when it travels to Butler for a 4 p.m. first pitch. The Cardinals open Mid-American Conference play Friday, with a scheduled 3 p.m. first pitch at Miami.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSoftball.
