Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
17-22, 3-7
Buffalo - GM 2
11-24, 5-3
Softball Closes Buffalo Series with 5-3 Victory Saturday
April 09, 2016 | Softball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State softball team closed its three-game home Mid-American Conference series versus Buffalo with a 5-3 victory Saturday afternoon at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.
After finishing Friday's suspended game, losing 13-4 (5), the Cardinals (18-22 / 4-7 MAC) offense came to life early in the series finale with the Bulls (11-25 / 5-4 MAC), scoring a pair of runs in the top of the first on the way to the 5-3 victory. Overall, Ball State pounded out eight hits in the game, with junior center fielder India Steward and junior first baseman Amanda Arnett providing two apiece.
Freshman designated player Madison Lee opened the Ball State rally in the bottom of the first with a one-out walk. She advanced to third on a double off the top of the fence in left field from senior shortstop Emily Dabkowski. Steward then drove the pair home with her first hit of the game, a two-run single to right field.
Ball State's defense came to life in the top of the second inning, as senior right fielder Selena Reyna made a diving grab on a fly to shallow right-center field. She followed the catch with a strong throw to Arnett at first for an inning-ending double play.
The Cardinals extended their lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the third inning on a two-out RBI single to left field from Arnett. Dabkowski scored on the play after reaching base via a fielder's choice and stealing second base.
Unfortunately, the Bulls responded with two runs in the fourth and another in the fifth to tie the score at 3-3. Ball State would not be denied the victory in the final game of the series, however, as it countered with two runs in the home half of the fifth.
With two outs, Steward sparked the rally with a bunt single to the pitcher. After Steward stole second, Arnett blasted a RBI single into left field driving in what proved to be the game-winning run. Sophomore catcher Leigh McAnally added an insurance run moments later with a RBI double to the wall in center field.
From there, senior pitcher Nicole Steinbach took control as she retired the Bulls in order in both the sixth and seventh innings. In picking up her 14th victory on the year, Steinbach allowed just five hits and three earned runs over 7.0 innings of work. She also struck out three batters. The win was also the 62nd of Steinbach's career, moving her into a tie for third on Ball State's all-time career wins list.
In the earlier game, which was started Friday and finished Saturday due to weather, the Cardinals lone bright spots on offense were provided by freshman third baseman Aeshia Miles and sophomore pinch hitter Kaitlyn Bath.
Miles smashed a two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning Friday for her third career long ball. She also added a single in the fifth Saturday for her second career two-hit game. Bath tagged her first career homer for the Cardinals in the bottom of the fifth Saturday.
The Ball State softball team returns to action Wednesday, when it hosts Northern Illinois in a schedule 2 p.m. first pitch at the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.
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: BAKER, Brieanna (3-5)
L: Schifferdecker, Kelsey (2-4)
Batting:
3B: GILBERT, Courtney 1
HR: NORCIO, Savanna 1 ; ROBERTSON, Catrell 1
RBI: NORCIO, Savanna 3 ; EARNHARDT, Ashton 1 ; ROBERTSON, Catrell 4 ; GAMBONE, Lauren 2 ; GILBERT, Courtney 2
SF: GAMBONE, Lauren 1
Base Running:
RUNS: NORCIO, Savanna 2 ; LALLOS, Danielle 2 ; EARNHARDT, Ashton 3 ; ROBERTSON, Catrell 1 ; SMITH, Lace 1 ; KOCH, Kenzie 1 ; SCOTT, Taylor 1 ; GAMBONE, Lauren 1 ; GILBERT, Courtney 1
SB: LALLOS, Danielle 1
CS: WEIMER, Katie 1
HBP: LALLOS, Danielle 1 ; EARNHARDT, Ashton 1 ; SCOTT, Taylor 1
Batting:
HR: Miles, Aeshia 1 ; Bath, Kaitlyn 1
RBI: Miles, Aeshia 2 ; Bath, Kaitlyn 2
Base Running:
RUNS: McAnally, Leigh 1 ; Miles, Aeshia 2 ; Bath, Kaitlyn 1
CS: Rodriguez, Becca 1
HBP: Cowger, Sammi 1
