Ball State University
22-32, 8-16
Toledo
21-31, 12-11
Softball Ends Season with 3-2 Loss at Toledo
May 07, 2016 | Softball
TOLEDO, Ohio - - Battling the hottest team in the Mid-American Conference, the Ball State softball team held a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the seventh inning, but Toledo rallied for three runs to pick up their 13th straight victory and end the Cardinals season with a 3-2 loss at Scott Park.
After four scoreless innings, the Ball State (22-32 / 8-16 MAC) bats came to life with back-to-back singles in the top of the fifth. Junior third baseman Amanda Arnett opened the frame with an infield single to short and senior pitcher Nicole Steinbach followed with a hard-hit shot to left field for her first career hit in just her third career at bat.
With Arnett at third after Steinbach's single, sophomore pinch runner Kaitlyn Bath proceeded to steal second to give Ball State a pair of runners in scoring position. Freshman left fielder Aeshia Miles reached base next on a fielder's choice on a squeeze bunt, but Toledo (21-31 / 12-11 MAC) was able to get the runner at home to keep Ball State off the scoreboard momentarily.
With runners at the corners and one out, Miles stole second to once again give Ball State two runners in scoring position. This time, the Cardinals were able to capitalize as freshman first baseman Madison Lee drove in the game's first run with a RBI single which ricocheted off the Toledo shortstop. Sophomore catcher Leigh McAnally followed with a sacrifice fly to left field giving Ball State a 2-0 lead.
The Cardinals maintained the 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the seventh, and managed to get the first out of the inning. Unfortunately, a walk and three straight singles helped Toledo tie the score. After another walk loaded the bases, a sacrifice fly allowed the Rockets to escape with a 3-2 victory.
In her final appearance in the circle, Steinbach struck out four batters to raise her career total to 514 which ranks fourth in program history. Ball State's career saves leader (9), Steinbach also concluded her career ranked third in program history with 64 career victories, while her 15 career shutouts tied for fourth.
In her final career game, senior shortstop Emily Dabkowski went 1-for-3 at the plate to finish her career 14th on Ball State's career charts with a .323 batting average. Dabkowski, who started her career as a walk-on and developed into a first team all-conference player by her junior season, finished her career ranked in the top 10 in program history in sacrifice flies (8, 3rd), home runs (31, 4th), slugging percentage (.590, 5th), runs scored (139, 5th), total bases (309, 5th), RBI (137, 7th) and stolen base percentage (.839, 10th).
Senior second baseman Selena Reyna finished her career ranked fifth in program history with 44 career doubles. A .289 career batter, who also ranks seventh in program history with 22 career home runs, Reyna is 13th on Ball State's career charts with a .480 slugging percentage. She also ranks 10th in program history in both runs scored (108) and RBI (103), while her 176 career hits are 14th.
Senior right fielder Sammi Cowger finished her career as one of the more versatile players to wear a Cardinals' jersey, seeing action as an infielder, outfielder and pitcher. A .245 career batter, Cowger ranks 18th in program history with seven career home runs. In addition, she has been hit by a pitch 17 times over her career, which is fifth on Ball State's career charts. Cowger is also one of only 26 players in program history to record a pitching save, as she has made 12 career appearances in the circle.
Senior pitcher Kelsey Schifferdecker finished her career ranked seventh in program history with 36 career pitching victories. Schifferdecker, who owns a 36-18 career record, was particularly dominating in MAC play, with a 15-4 record in conference action. She also chalked up 158 career strikeouts to rank 17th in Ball State annals.
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: GOODING, Marla (18-15)
L: Steinbach, Nicole (16-18)
Batting:
2B: Lee, Madison 1
RBI: Lee, Madison 1 ; McAnally, Leigh 1
SH: McAnally, Leigh 1 ; Cowger, Sammi 1
SF: McAnally, Leigh 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bath, Kaitlyn 1 ; Miles, Aeshia 1
SB: Bath, Kaitlyn 1 ; Miles, Aeshia 1
Batting:
RBI: EMERY, Sammy 1 ; CHOATE, Megan 1 ; MAYNARD, Ashley 1
SH: EMERY, Sammy 1
SF: EMERY, Sammy 1
Base Running:
RUNS: FRANK, Kimberly 1 ; FIDGE, Celeste 1 ; CHOATE, Megan 1
SB: CHOATE, Megan 1 ; RAUSCH, Ashley 1
CS: RICE, Chandler 1 ; GROSS, Kylie 1
