Ball State University Athletics
Softball's Dabkowski Named MAC West Division Co-Player of the Week
May 02, 2016 | Softball
CLEVELAND, Ohio - - After accounting for the winning run in two of Ball State softball's three victories over Western Michigan last weekend, senior shortstop Emily Dabkowski has been named the Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week.
Dabkowski, who shares the honor with Toledo's Jessica Lemieux, played a pivotal role in keeping the Cardinals alive in the hunt for one of eight spots in the 2016 MAC Tournament by leading the squad with four RBI and tying for team-high honors with four runs scored. She also hit .556 (5-for-9) and drew a pair of walks for a .583 on base percentage in the three-game series versus Western Michigan.
A three-time career MAC West Division Player of the Week honoree, and a two-time award winner this season, Dabkowski opened the weekend series versus WMU with a single and a pair of walks in Friday's first game. She scored a run in Ball State's four-run sixth inning, and drew a pivotal two-out walk in the ninth inning to set up a game-winning RBI double from classmate Selena Reyna.
In the nightcap, Dabkowski drove herself in for what proved to be the game-winning run with a two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning. Ball State's active career home run leader with 31 career blasts, she also opened the game with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first to drive in the Cardinals' first three runs in the 6-2 victory.
Dabkowski also scored what proved to be the game-winning run in Saturday's victory over WMU on a first inning RBI single. Ball State had a pair of runners on base with one out at the time, and Dabkowski sliced a single up the middle which the WMU center fielder misplayed allowing both base runners and Dabkowski to cross the plate and give the Cardinals a 3-0 lead in a game it won 10-2 (5).
Dabkowski enters the final week of the regular season ranked second on the team in both batting average (.315) and on base percentage (.391). Of her 45 hits, 23 have been for extra bases as she as tallied 10 doubles, nine home runs and four triples. She leads the squad with 39 RBI and 31 runs scored.
Dabkowski and the Ball State softball team return to action Friday (May 6), when they open their final three game MAC regular season series with a scheduled 3 p.m. first pitch at Toledo. The Cardinals and Rockets are slated to conclude the regular season with a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday.
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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