Early Runs Doom Softball in Pair of Tuesday Losses at Northern Illinois

Tuesday, April 5

DeKalb, Illinois

2:00 PM

Ball State University

17-19, 3-4

Northern Illinois - GM 1

24-10, 5-2

Ball State

Northern Illinois

Early Runs Doom Softball in Pair of Tuesday Losses at Northern Illinois

April 06, 2016 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 1 Box Game 2 Box

By: Ball State Athletics

DEKALB, Ill. - - The Ball State softball team could not overcome a pair of four-run first-inning spurts by Northern Illinois, dropping both ends of a Mid-American Conference doubleheader Tuesday afternoon by scores of 10-0 (6) and 5-4 at Mary M. Bell Field.

After being limited to a single from sophomore catcher Leigh McAnally in the opener, the Cardinals (17-20 / 3-5 MAC) managed to take an early 1-0 lead in the nightcap thanks to a solo home run from senior shortstop Emily Dabkowski. Unfortunately, the Huskies (25-10 / 6-2 MAC) answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning to pull ahead 4-1.

Northern Illinois looked poised to extend its lead in the bottom of the fourth, putting runners at second and third with one out. However, senior pitcher Nicole Steinbach battled back with a strikeout and an inning-ending groundout to stop the threat.

Ball State would gain some offensive momentum in the top of the fifth, thanks to a leadoff home run from junior first baseman Amanda Arnett. McAnally, who spoiled NIU's perfect game bid in the opener and doubled in the top of the second in the nightcap, followed with her third hit of the day by singling to left field and advancing to second on a Huskies error. She would later come around to score the Cardinals second and final run of the inning on another NIU fielding miscue.

Trailing 4-3 and with the rain coming down hard in the top of the seventh, Ball State would battle back and tie the score at 4-4 thanks to a one-out RBI double by freshman designated player Madison Lee. Freshman third baseman Madeline Porter scored on the play after being hit by a pitch to open the inning and advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt from classmate Becca Rodriguez.

With runners at first and second and two outs, the Cardinals attempted to push across the go-ahead run on a grounder to first by junior center fielder Rachel Houck, as the NIU defender misplayed the ball. Unfortunately, the ball found its way to the Huskies second baseman who threw home to get the final out of the inning.

The bad luck continued for the Cardinals in the bottom of the seventh, as a leadoff home run from NIU's Emily Naegele gave the Huskies a 5-4 victory.

The Ball State softball team returns to action Friday, when it opens a three-game home series versus Buffalo with a scheduled 3 p.m. first pitch at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex. The teams will also play a Saturday doubleheader at 1 p.m.

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 –