Ball State University
14-15
Butler
17-12
Pair of Big Innings Help Butler Slip Past Softball, 9-1
March 23, 2016 | Softball
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - - Junior center fielder India Steward collected a pair of hits and drove in Ball State softball's lone run in a 9-1 (6) loss at Butler in non-conference action Wednesday afternoon at the Butler Softball Complex.
The Cardinals (14-15) managed to keep the hot-hitting Bulldogs (17-12) off the board over the first two innings, before a three-run surge in the bottom of the third gave the hosts a lead they would not relinquish.
Ball State looked poised to retaliate in the top of the fourth, thanks in part to a one out error which allowed junior center fielder Rachel Houck to reach second base. Senior shortstop Emily Dabkowski then dropped a blooper into center field, giving the Cardinals runners on the corners. Steward followed with her second hit of the game, a single through the right side, to cut the Butler lead to 3-1.
Unfortunately, after the Cardinals pulled off a successful double steal and a walk to junior first baseman Amanda Arnett loaded the bases, the rally came to an end on a force out at home and a grounder to second.
Butler carried over their heavy hitting in the bottom of the fourth, tacking on five more runs to pull ahead 8-1. The damage could have been more, but freshman third baseman Madeline Porter snagged a hard liner and threw to first for an inning-ending double play.
After holding Ball State scoreless in the top of the fifth, the Bulldogs had another chance to end the game early in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a leadoff triple. However, the next batter lofted a fly to mid-center field which Houck collected and then threw a laser home to sophomore catcher Leigh McAnally for another pivotal double play.
Unfortunately, Ball State's defense could not hold in the sixth, as Butler collected a pair of hits to open the inning and put runners on second and third before a one-out squeeze play ended the game at 9-1.
The Ball State softball team returns to action Friday, when it opens Mid-American Conference play with a schedule 3 p.m. first pitch at Miami. The Cardinals will also play a doubleheader versus the RedHawks at 1 p.m. Saturday.
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: Turpen, Ambry (1-0)
L: Wilmes, Carolyn (1-6)
Batting:
RBI: Steward, India 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Houck, Rachel 1
SB: Dabkowski, Emily 1 ; Steward, India 1
CS: Steward, India 1
Batting:
2B: Sallee, Brandyce 1 ; Doud, Kaitlin 1
3B: Cahill, Katelyn 1
HR: Lach, Alyssa 1
RBI: Sallee, Brandyce 3 ; Doud, Kaitlin 2 ; Lach, Alyssa 3 ; Thompson, Cheyenne 1
SH: Lach, Alyssa 1
Base Running:
RUNS: MacBeth, Maggie 2 ; Dixon, Sarah 2 ; Sallee, Brandyce 2 ; Foreman, Jenna 1 ; Lach, Alyssa 1 ; Ogden, Krosley 1
SB: MacBeth, Maggie 2 ; Dixon, Sarah 2 ; St. Cyr, Zoe 1
