Ball State University
18-23, 4-8
Northern Illinois
27-11, 8-3
Softball Closes Homestand with 12-4 Loss to Northern Illinois
April 13, 2016 | Softball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State softball team closed its four-game Mid-American Conference homestand with a 12-4 (6) loss to Northern Illinois Wednesday afternoon at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.
Much like the two games last Tuesday in DeKalb, the MAC West Division leading Huskies (27-11 / 8-3) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first powered by a three-run home run from Kayti Grable.
The Cardinals (18-23 / 4-8 MAC) countered with a solo shot off the scoreboard by junior left fielder India Steward in the bottom of the inning, cutting the NIU advantage to 3-1.
Unfortunately, that was as close as the Cardinals would get as Northern Illinois countered with four runs in the top of the second inning.
Ball State did manage a three-run frame of its own in the bottom of the second, powered by a two-run double from freshman second baseman Becca Rodriguez. Steward then drove in the Cardinals' final run with a sacrifice fly to right field.
After a pair of scoreless innings, NIU tacked on two more runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth to give the game its final margin of 12-4.
Ball State did have several opportunities to score, loading the bases in both the fourth and fifth innings, but could not capitalize in either instance.
In the circle, sophomore reliever Carolyn Wilmes held Northern Illinois scoreless in the third and fourth innings, and finished the game with a pair of strikeouts over 4.0 innings of work.
Sophomore catcher Leigh McAnally reached base safely for the sixth consecutive game with a walk in the first inning, while senior right fielder Selena Reyna led the Ball State offense with a pair of hits. In all, seven different Cardinals recorded at least one hit, while eight of Ball State's nine batters reached base safely in the game.
The Ball State softball team returns to the road Friday, when it opens a three-game MAC series with a 3 p.m. first pitch at Eastern Michigan. The Cardinals and Eagles will also play a doubleheader Saturday starting at 1 p.m.
For future schedule changes and 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: THACKER, Tara (5-5)
L: Steinbach, Nicole (14-11)
Batting:
2B: GRABLE, Kayti 1 ; WOOLLARD, Alaynie 1 ; VAN GEERTRY, Jenny 1
HR: KOSSAKOWSKI, Kali 1 ; WARREN, Caitlyn 1 ; GRABLE, Kayti 1
RBI: KOSSAKOWSKI, Kali 3 ; WARREN, Caitlyn 2 ; GRABLE, Kayti 5 ; WOOLLARD, Alaynie 2
SH: VAN GEERTRY, Jenny 2
Base Running:
RUNS: KOSSAKOWSKI, Kali 3 ; RIO, Jessica 1 ; WARREN, Caitlyn 1 ; NAEGELE, Emily 2 ; GRABLE, Kayti 2 ; HARNISH, Bekah 1 ; BOWEN, Jordyn 1 ; VAN GEERTRY, Jenny 1
SB: WOOLLARD, Alaynie 1 ; HARNISH, Bekah 1
Batting:
2B: Rodriguez, Becca 1
HR: Steward, India 1
RBI: Steward, India 2 ; Rodriguez, Becca 2
SF: Steward, India 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Steward, India 1 ; Houck, Rachel 1 ; Miles, Aeshia 1 ; Rodriguez, Becca 1
SB: Steward, India 1
HBP: Rodriguez, Becca 1
