Ball State University Athletics

Softball’s Hensley Named MAC Player of the Week
April 06, 2021 | Softball
CLEVELAND, Ohio - - After helping power the Ball State softball team to another 4-0 weekend in league play, junior outfielder Faith Hensley has been named the Mid-American Conference Softball Player of the Week.
The Monroe, Ohio, native led the squad with a .667 batting average and a 1.333 slugging percentage in the series sweep at Central Michigan. She reached base safely in all four games, raising her season streak to 19, while tying for team-high honors with eight RBIs.
"Faith has been an absolute force to be reckoned with in the outfield for us this year," first-year head coach Lacy Wood said. "We have a lot of depth out there, and before the season started we didn't know who would rise to the challenge. Faith has worked hard on her swing, and her game in whole, and has risen to every challenge. She has been the spark we have needed in many games already this spring and she's just getting better."
Hensley, who earns MAC Player of the Week honors for the first time in her career, also scored four runs to account for 12 of BSU's 48 runs in the series. Of her six hits versus the Chippewas, four were doubles and one was a triple. Overall, she reached base in 11 of her 15 plate appearances vs. CMU by adding four walks and being hit by a pitch. She also contributed a sacrifice fly for good measure.
Her two-out, three-run double in the second inning of the series opener drove in what proved to be the game-winning run. She also tallied an RBI single in the first inning of the 14-6 victory.
After Central Michigan rallied for eight runs in the third inning to take a 10-8 lead in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheder, Hensley went to work again. This time, she tied the score in the top of the fourth with a two-run triple.
Moments later, she came around to score the eventual game-winning run on a grounder to short. Hensley also had an RBI double in the second inning and a sacrifice fly in the seventh.
She would go on to add two more hits and score a run in Sunday's 16-5 (5) victory in the series finale.
Hensley and the Ball State softball team return to action Friday, when they welcome Kent State to the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex for a 3 p.m. first pitch. It will be the first of four games between the Cardinals and Falcons.
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic and resulting country health department guidance, there will be no general public attendance at Ball State softball home games this spring.
Fans can still watch the action, however, with FREE live video and live stats on BallStateSports.com and in the BSU Athletics App:
Apple App Store | Google Play
The Monroe, Ohio, native led the squad with a .667 batting average and a 1.333 slugging percentage in the series sweep at Central Michigan. She reached base safely in all four games, raising her season streak to 19, while tying for team-high honors with eight RBIs.
"Faith has been an absolute force to be reckoned with in the outfield for us this year," first-year head coach Lacy Wood said. "We have a lot of depth out there, and before the season started we didn't know who would rise to the challenge. Faith has worked hard on her swing, and her game in whole, and has risen to every challenge. She has been the spark we have needed in many games already this spring and she's just getting better."
Hensley, who earns MAC Player of the Week honors for the first time in her career, also scored four runs to account for 12 of BSU's 48 runs in the series. Of her six hits versus the Chippewas, four were doubles and one was a triple. Overall, she reached base in 11 of her 15 plate appearances vs. CMU by adding four walks and being hit by a pitch. She also contributed a sacrifice fly for good measure.
Her two-out, three-run double in the second inning of the series opener drove in what proved to be the game-winning run. She also tallied an RBI single in the first inning of the 14-6 victory.
After Central Michigan rallied for eight runs in the third inning to take a 10-8 lead in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheder, Hensley went to work again. This time, she tied the score in the top of the fourth with a two-run triple.
Moments later, she came around to score the eventual game-winning run on a grounder to short. Hensley also had an RBI double in the second inning and a sacrifice fly in the seventh.
She would go on to add two more hits and score a run in Sunday's 16-5 (5) victory in the series finale.
Hensley and the Ball State softball team return to action Friday, when they welcome Kent State to the Softball Field at First Merchants Ballpark Complex for a 3 p.m. first pitch. It will be the first of four games between the Cardinals and Falcons.
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic and resulting country health department guidance, there will be no general public attendance at Ball State softball home games this spring.
Fans can still watch the action, however, with FREE live video and live stats on BallStateSports.com and in the BSU Athletics App:
Apple App Store | Google Play
Players Mentioned
This Week in Ball State Sports Podcast // Softball's Lindsey DeRoeck & AD Jeff Mitchell
Thursday, February 26
Sports Link: National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Wednesday, February 25
Cardinal Conversation with Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell and Softball's Ashlee Lovett
Thursday, February 19
Celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day // Produced by Ball State Sports Link
Wednesday, February 04




