Ball State University
Eastern Michigan - GM 1
Softball Drops Both Ends of Saturday Doubleheader at Eastern Michigan
April 16, 2016 | Softball
YPSILANTI, Mich. - - Another strong pitching performance from Nicole Steinbach in the first game and an 11-run offensive explosion in the second game were not enough for the Ball State softball team which lost both ends of a doubleheader, by scores of 2-0 and 15-11, Saturday at Eastern Michigan's Varsity Field.
In the opener, the Cardinals (18-25 / 4-11 Mid-American Conference) once again rode the right arm of their senior pitcher Steinbach who held the Eagles (17-23 / 8-6 MAC) offense in check by allowing just six hits and a pair of runs over 6.0 innings of work. She also struck out six batters and retired EMU in order twice in the game.
Unfortunately, the Cardinals' offensive struggles continued as Ball State was held to just three hits and stranded seven runners on base in the game. Freshman designated player Madison Lee provided a pair of hits for the Cardinals in the opener, which saw Eastern Michigan score single runs in the second and third innings to claim the 2-0 victory.
The second game saw the Eagles jump out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, as a defensive miscue on what would have been the final out of the inning allowed a pair of runs to cross the plate.
After a scoreless second, the Balls State offense started to find its grove in the top of the third, as Lee opened the inning with a single and advanced to third on a throwing error on a grounder from sophomore catcher Leigh McAnally. Senior shortstop Emily Dabkowski then put the Cardinals on the scoreboard for the first time in the series with a sacrifice fly to right field. Ball State later tied the score at 2-2 on a RBI single to left field from junior center fielder Rachel Houck.
After a leadoff home run in the bottom of the second helped Eastern Michigan reclaim the lead at 3-2, the Ball State offense surged to life in the top of the fourth, tallying eight runs on five hits and a pair of errors to pull ahead 10-3. Sophomore outfielder Elise Sandberg opened the inning with a double to left field, while an Aeshia Miles bunt single and a walk to Lee loaded the bases. McAnally followed with a RBI single to tie the score, while Dabkowski's second sac fly of the game gave Ball State its first lead of the series at 4-3.
Ball State was not done scoring there, as junior first baseman Amanda Arnett was hit by a pitch to load the bases for senior second baseman Selena Reyna who drove in the third run of the inning with a single to right. Ball State's next two runs came one out later, as junior outfielder India Steward was hit by a pitch and Sandberg drew a walk, both with bases loaded. The Cardinals' final three runs of the inning came across on a RBI single from senior pinch hitter Sammi Cowger and a pair of EMU errors on the hit.
Trailing 10-3, the Eagles closed the gap to four runs with a three-spot in the bottom of the fourth, making the score 10-6.
After a scoreless fifth inning, Ball State added what looked to be an insurance run in the top of the sixth as Stewart came around to make the score 11-6 on a perfectly executed squeeze play from Lee.
Unfortunately, Eastern Michigan had other ideas, and struck for nine runs on six hits and a pair of Ball State errors in the bottom of the sixth to pull out a 15-11 victory.
After seeing her seven game streak of reaching base safely snapped in the first contest, McAnally made up for it in the second with a team-high three hits. Miles added a pair of hits, while seven other Cardinals recorded at least one hit.
The Ball State softball team returns to action Wednesday, when it plays its final regular season non-conference game of the year with a scheduled 6 p.m. first pitch at Indiana.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSoftball.
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