Ball State University
15-18, 1-3
Ohio
20-11, 2-2
Steinbach Delivers Nine Strikeouts in Softball?s Win Over Ohio
April 01, 2016 | Softball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Senior pitcher Nicole Steinbach turned in one of her most dominating performance of the year, chalking up a season-high nine strikeouts to guide the Ball State softball team to a 2-1 victory over Ohio in the team's home opener Friday afternoon at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.
“The team came out and fought today,” head coach Megan Ciolli Bartlett said. “We showed up with a lot of focus and determination. We stuck to the game plan and toughed out a really close game. Nicole was excellent on the mound and that is absolutely what we expect out of her in conference play.”
Going toe-to-toe with the Mid-American Conference's leading strikeout pitcher in Bobcats (20-11 / 2-2 MAC) redshirt junior Savannah Jo Dorsey, Steinbach held the edge in the circle by surrendering just four hits and issuing only one walk to limit Ohio to one run. Steinbach's nine strikeouts, three of which caught batters looking, were one more than Dorsey who entered the contest with a MAC-leading 186 strikeouts on the year.
After Steinbach retired the side in order in the top of the first, Cardinals (15-18 / 1-3 MAC) junior center fielder India Steward provided a lift for the offense by depositing a 1-2 pitch over the fence in right field for her third home run of the season. The one-out laser shot over the new padding on the complex fence gave Ball State a 1-0 edge.
After three scoreless innings, Ohio broke onto the scoreboard in the top of the fifth thanks to a leadoff single from pinch hitter Morgan Geno and a two-out RBI double from Michaela Dorsey which evened the score at 1-1.
The Bobcats, who retired the Cardinals in order in the bottom of the fifth, looked to take the lead in the top of the sixth by loading the bases with two outs. However, junior left fielder Rachel Houck was able to track down a hard-hit liner to left-center field, ending the inning and the Bobcats threat.
Houck played the hero once again in the bottom of the sixth, driving in what proved to be the game-winning run with a RBI single to right field. Emily Dabkowski, who walked in her two previous at bats, scored on the play after reaching base on a one-out single and advancing to second on a Ohio error.
Steinbach retook control in the top of the seventh; striking out the first two batters she faced before inducing a groundout to third base to end the game. In picking up her 12th win of the season, Steinbach also raised her career win total to 60 and upped her career strikeout total to 456.
The Cardinals and Bobcats close their three-game MAC series Saturday with an 11 a.m. doubleheader at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex. The game times were moved up two hours due to the current weather forecast.
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 (12-7)
L: DORSEY, Savannah Jo (14-7)
Batting:
2B: COLE, Deanna 1 ; DORSEY, Michaela 1
RBI: DORSEY, Michaela 1
SH: HUTCHINSON, Casie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: DAY, Alex 1
HBP: COOPER, Mikayla 1
Batting:
HR: Steward, India 1
RBI: Steward, India 1 ; Houck, Rachel 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Steward, India 1 ; Dabkowski, Emily 1
SB: Dabkowski, Emily 1
