Ball State University
8-7
Stony Brook
5-6
Softball Drops Two on Opening Day of FGCU Spring Break Classic
March 05, 2016 | Softball
FT. MYERS, Fla. - - Despite a solid performance from Nicole Steinbach against Stony Brook and a strong offensive start versus Florida Gulf Coast, the Ball State softball team opened play in the FGCU/Four Points Spring Break Classic with a pair of losses Friday afternoon at the FGCU Softball Complex.
Friday's opener saw Steinbach limit the Seawolves (5-6) to two hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings of work. Unfortunately, the Cardinals (8-8) offense was unable to come up with key hits in a 1-0 loss. Steinbach would also strikeout five batters in the contest, including all three outs in the fourth inning.
Junior first baseman Amanda Arnett opened the game with a double to right-center field, while Selena Reyna added one-out double in the fifth and Emily Dabkowski collected a two-out single in the sixth.
In the nightcap, the Cardinals loaded the bases with one out in the top of the first inning and scored a pair of runs on a two-out error by the Eagles (10-5) defense. Freshman designated player Madison Lee started the rally with a single down the left field line, while junior center fielder Rachel Houck celebrated her 21st birthday with a single through the left side. After a walk to Dabkowski, a fielders' choice got the lead runner out at home for the second out of the inning.
FGCU looked to be out of the inning on a grounder back at the pitcher by junior left fielder India Steward, but a wild throw to first led to Ball State's first two runs of the game. However, the tournament hosts responded with four runs in the bottom of the frame and added three more in the second inning to pull ahead 7-2.
Ball State threatened again in the top of the third, cutting the lead to four runs, at 7-3, on a sacrifice fly from Reyna. Houck scored her second run of the game on the play after reaching base on a leadoff walk, logging her first stolen base of the season to get to second and advancing to third on a Dabkowski single. Unfortunately, that would be the last run the Cardinals would score, while FGCU added one in the bottom of the frame and another in the sixth to give the game its final score of 9-3.
The Ball State softball team continues play in the FGCU/Four Points Spring Break Classic Saturday, with rematches versus both Stony Brook (11 a.m.) and FGCU (3:45 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: Sallen, Jane (4-3)
L: Steinbach, Nicole (6-3)
Batting:
2B: Arnett, Amanda 1 ; Reyna, Selena 1
Batting:
2B: Shue, Lexie 1
RBI: Shue, Lexie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Phelan, Melissa 1
SB: Reynolds, Kellie 1
HBP: Caruso, Diane 1
