Ball State University
19-28, 5-12
Central Michigan - GM 1
19-22-1, 6-9-1
Wilmes Gem Leads Softball to Saturday Split with Central Michigan
April 23, 2016 | Softball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Sophomore pitcher Carolyn Wilmes earned her first complete game victory of the season to help the Ball State softball team split a Mid-American Conference doubleheader versus Central Michigan Saturday afternoon at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.
Wilmes pitched the 2-1 opening game victory for the Cardinals (19-29 / 5-13 MAC), and held the Chippewas (20-22-1 / 7-9-1 MAC) offense to just five hits and a single run in arguably her best performance of the season. Wilmes faced just three batters in four of the seven innings, with her defense coming up with a double play in the first and sophomore catcher Leigh McAnally throwing out a runner trying to steal in the fourth.
On offense, Ball State was the beneficiary of a critical Central Michigan error in the second inning which helped the Cardinals score a pair of unearned runs. With one out, junior center fielder Rachel Houck reached base via a walk. Senior first baseman Sammi Cowger followed with a sacrifice bunt, however, the CMU third baseman's throw went wide left of first base and travelled to the wall down the right field line helping Houck score and Cowger reach third.
Two batters later, freshman designated player Madison Lee dropped a blooper between the second baseman and right fielder for an RBI double to give Ball State the 2-0 advantage.
It turned out to be all the run support Wilmes would need, as her only mistake came in the top of the fifth on a two-out, 2-2 pitch which CMU's Chelsea DeLamlielleure drove over the wall in right-center field for a solo home run. Wilmes responded by retiring seven of the final nine batters to pick up her third pitching win of the season. She also struck out one batter in the game, while not issuing a single walk.
In the 9-2 second game loss Saturday, Central Michigan copied its playbook from Friday's series opener as the game's first batter reached base on an error and later came around to score an unearned run.
The Cardinals retaliated in the bottom of the inning, using a little small ball to tie the score at 1-1. Lee opened the frame with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from McAnally. Junior third baseman Amanda Arnett followed with a RBI single up the middle.
Unfortunately, Central Michigan was able to rally for four two-out runs in the top of the second. It looked as though the Cardinals had retired the side in order in the inning, as a routine fly ball to left field was originally called the inning's final out. However, the play was overturned and called a single as it was determined the ball hit the ground directly in front of the batter before traveling 180 feet in the air to the Ball State left fielder. CMU capitalized on the momentum shift to pull ahead 5-1.
Ball State was able to counter with one run in the bottom of the inning, as a squeeze bunt from freshman center fielder Aeshia Miles drove in sophomore designated player Elise Sandberg. Sandberg reached base on a one-out walk and advanced to third on a Cowger single up the middle.
Unfortunately, CMU ended the Ball State rally at one run and countered with a run in the top of the third and three more in the seventh to give the game its final score of 9-2.
Senior pitcher Nicole Steinbach suffered the loss in the contest, but was able to record four strikeouts to raise her career total to 499 which moves her into fourth on Ball State career strikeout list.
Lee and Arnett recorded a hit apiece in each of the two games to pace the Ball State offense with two hits apiece on the day.
The Ball State softball team returns to action Friday, when it opens its final home series of the 2016 season by hosting Western Michigan for a 3 p.m. first pitch. The Cardinals and Broncos are schedule to conclude three-game set Saturday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader which will also serve as Ball State's senior day.
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 –
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Wilmes, Carolyn (3-6)
L: WARREN, Hanna (7-8)
Batting:
2B: KALINA, Maison 1
HR: DELAMLIELLEURE, Chel 1
RBI: DELAMLIELLEURE, Chel 1
Base Running:
RUNS: DELAMLIELLEURE, Chel 1
CS: PERLBERG, ANDREA 1
HBP: CURTIS, Allison 1
Batting:
2B: Lee, Madison 1
RBI: Lee, Madison 1
SH: Cowger, Sammi 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Houck, Rachel 1 ; Porter, Madeline 1
HBP: Houck, Rachel 1
