Ball State University
18-28, 4-12
Central Michigan
19-21-1, 6-8-1
Softball Suffers 1-0 Setback to Central Michigan in Series Opener
April 22, 2016 | Softball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State softball team received another strong pitching performance from senior Nicole Steinbach, but the team's offensive woes continued in a 1-0 loss to Central Michigan Friday afternoon in the opener of a three-game Mid-American Conference series at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.
The Cardinals (18-28 / 4-12 MAC) and Chippewas (19-21-1 / 6-8-1) conclude the series Saturday, with a 1 p.m. doubleheader.
Steinbach did her part in Friday's contest, holding the Chippewas to four hits and one unearned run in her 18th complete game outing of the season. She would also strikeout six CMU batters, raising her career total to 495 as she looks to become just the fourth pitcher in program history to reach 500 career strikeouts.
Unfortunately, it was an early Ball State defensive miscue which turned out to be the deciding factor in the game. CMU leadoff batter Sara Hansen reached base on an error to open the game, and ultimately came around to score what proved to be the game-winning run on a groundout to second base.
The Cardinals looked poised to answer in the bottom of the second, as senior shortstop Emily Dabkowski capitalized on a dropped foul ball and singled up the middle to give Ball State its first hit of the game. However, after a sacrifice bunt from senior second baseman Selena Reyna moved her to second, Dabkowski was called for leaving the base early on a sacrifice bunt attempt, while a strikeout ended the inning.
Ball State had another chance to push across the tying run in the bottom of the fifth, as Reyna drove a one-out single through the left side and junior left fielder India Steward was hit by a 3-2 pitch. Unfortunately, CMU pitcher Rachel Knapp recovered by getting a strikeout and forcing a foul fly to end the Cardinals threat.
Freshman right fielder Aeshia Miles attempted to give Ball State an offensive lift in the bottom of the sixth, doubling to left-center field to open the frame. She would advance to third after the second of back-to-back groundouts, before a strikeout ended the inning.
CMU's Knapp finished the game by retiring the Cardinals in order in the bottom of the seventh to seal the victory for the visitors from Mount Pleasant. Over 7.0 innings of work, Knapp limited Ball State to just three hits while striking out five and not issuing a walk.
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: KNAPP, Rachael (10-11)
L: Steinbach, Nicole (14-15)
Batting:
RBI: SEXAUER, CarolAnn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: HANSEN, Sara 1
SB: CURTIS, Allison 1 ; HEATH, Sydney 1 ; VIEIRA, Rachel 1
Batting:
2B: Miles, Aeshia 1
SH: Reyna, Selena 1
Base Running:
HBP: Steward, India 1
