Friday, May 5
Kalamazoo, MI
3pm
Ball State University
30-24, 14-8
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Western Michigan University
21-27, 9-13
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Ball State
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Western Michigan
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Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Early Hits, Strong Pitching Lead Softball Past Western Michigan
May 05, 2017 | Softball
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Aided by a strong pitching effort from freshman Darcie Huber (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield Central) and a two-run home run from senior center fielder Rachel Houck (Greenfield, Ind./Louisville), the Ball State softball team opened its final 2017 Mid-American Conference series with a 2-1 win over Western Michigan Friday afternoon at Ebert Field.
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Coming into the day on a four-game losing streak, the Cardinals (30-24; 14-8 MAC) made some early noise in the series opener versus the Broncos (21-27; 9-13 MAC) with back-to-back hits in the top of the first inning. Freshman left fielder Haley Dominique (Oregon, Ohio/Clay) opened the game with a single up the middle, while Houck followed with her 12th home run of the season, a two-run blast over the fence in right field.
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From there, it was Huber who controlled the game as she held the Broncos to just five hits and one run over 7.0 innings of work to earn the complete game victory. In improving to 9-7 on the year, and to 4-2 in MAC play, Huber also struck out a pair of batters and did not issue a walk.
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Huber was perfect through the first seven batters, before WMU's Courtney Sleeman cut the Ball State lead in half with a solo shot to left field. It was the lone mistake Huber would make, however, as she held the Broncos off the board the remainder of the game.
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In addition to the pair of first inning hits, Ball State finished the game with eight total hits led by a 2-for-3 day from junior shortstop Brittany Hopper (Scottsdale, Ariz./Phoenix College). The Cardinals were also 2-for-2 on the base paths, with sophomore catcher Olivia Huffman (Woodbury, Minn./South Dakota) and junior right fielder Cadie O'Donnell (Salina, Kan./Barton C.C.) each stealing a base.
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The Ball State softball team closes the 2017 regular season tomorrow with a scheduled 1 p.m. doubleheader at Western Michigan.
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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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- BallStateSports.com –
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Coming into the day on a four-game losing streak, the Cardinals (30-24; 14-8 MAC) made some early noise in the series opener versus the Broncos (21-27; 9-13 MAC) with back-to-back hits in the top of the first inning. Freshman left fielder Haley Dominique (Oregon, Ohio/Clay) opened the game with a single up the middle, while Houck followed with her 12th home run of the season, a two-run blast over the fence in right field.
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From there, it was Huber who controlled the game as she held the Broncos to just five hits and one run over 7.0 innings of work to earn the complete game victory. In improving to 9-7 on the year, and to 4-2 in MAC play, Huber also struck out a pair of batters and did not issue a walk.
Â
Huber was perfect through the first seven batters, before WMU's Courtney Sleeman cut the Ball State lead in half with a solo shot to left field. It was the lone mistake Huber would make, however, as she held the Broncos off the board the remainder of the game.
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In addition to the pair of first inning hits, Ball State finished the game with eight total hits led by a 2-for-3 day from junior shortstop Brittany Hopper (Scottsdale, Ariz./Phoenix College). The Cardinals were also 2-for-2 on the base paths, with sophomore catcher Olivia Huffman (Woodbury, Minn./South Dakota) and junior right fielder Cadie O'Donnell (Salina, Kan./Barton C.C.) each stealing a base.
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The Ball State softball team closes the 2017 regular season tomorrow with a scheduled 1 p.m. doubleheader at Western Michigan.
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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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- BallStateSports.com –
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Huber, Darcie (9-7)
L: SANCHEZ, Anissa (7-7)
Batting:
HR: Houck, Rachel 1
RBI: Houck, Rachel 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Dominique, Haley 1 ; Houck, Rachel 1
SB: Huffman, Olivia 1 ; O'Donnell, Cadie 1
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Batting:
3B: SCHAAF, Ivy 1
HR: SLEEMAN, Courtney 1
RBI: SLEEMAN, Courtney 1
Base Running:
RUNS: SLEEMAN, Courtney 1
Game Leaders
AB
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RBI
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RBI
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AB
4
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H
1
RBI
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AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
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Players Mentioned
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OF
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