Softball Picks Up Tuesday Win at Butler

INDIANAPOLIS - - Led by a pair of RBI from sophomore shortstop Maia Pietrzak and a complete game shutout by freshman Breanna Severino, the Ball State softball team earned a 7-0 victory over Butler Tuesday afternoon at the Butler Softball Field.

Pietrzak provided all the run support Severino would need in the top of the second, slashing a two-out, 1-2 pitch down the left field line to bring home senior first baseman Kaitlyn Gibson for the game's first run.

The Cardinals (16-7) would double its lead in the top of the fourth inning, courtesy of another two-out RBI from Pietrzak. This time, she doubled down the left field line on a 1-2 count to bring home redshirt junior second baseman McKenna Mulholland.

The lead remained two runs until the top of the sixth when redshirt junior center fielder Hayley Urban drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk to extend the lead to three. Urban would also cap the scoring in a four-run seventh with a bases loaded sac fly to left.

Prior to Urban's second RBI of the game, redshirt senior catcher McKayla Timmons would drive in the first two runs of the inning with a double to center field. The effort extended her current hitting streak to 15 games and went along with two walks and a hit by pitch in the game. Three batters later senior right fielder Maddie Weaver drew a bases loaded walk to bring home another.

Meanwhile, Severino picked up her first collegiate compete game shutout, limiting the Bulldogs (16-8) to just seven hits over her 7.0 innings of work. She also struck out one batter and worked out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the fourth. With the win, Severino improved to 3-4 on the season.

NOTES:
- In addition to extending her active hitting streak to 15 games with her two-run double in the seventh inning, Timmons has now reached base safely in 49 consecutive games dating back to last season … She also raised her current on base percentage to .655, which as of right now, ranks third nationally.

- After being hit by a pitch for the 10th time this season in the top of the first inning, Timmons responded by stealing her MAC-leading 12th stolen base of the year … Timmons has now stolen 12 bases in 13 attempts.

- Junior designated player Ella Whitney picked up three of the Cardinals' 11 hits on the day and was also walked twice for a 1.000 on base percentage for the game … It was her fourth three-hit game of the season and extended her active hitting streak to six games and her streak of reaching base safely to 11.

- With her two hits, two RBI and one run scored versus Butler, Pietrzak is second on the squad over the last 10 games in each category with 13 hits, 14 runs scored and seven RBI … Only Timmons has more in each category, with 18 hits, 16 runs scored and 21 RBI.

- It was another errorless game for the Ball State defense which leads the Mid-American Conference with a .977 fielding percentage this season … The Cardinals have committed just 15 errors over its first 23 games, including no errors in 12 games.

- Ball State was right on average Tuesday, scoring seven total runs in the win over Butler … The Cardinals entered the game ranked 25th nationally at 7.00 runs per game.

UP NEXT:
The Ball State softball team will make a second attempt to host its home opener Friday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader versus league rival Toledo. The teams will conclude their three-game series Saturday with another 1 p.m. first pitch. All three games will be broadcast live on ESPN+

Next Event

Team Stats

Ella Whitney

Maia Pietrzak

McKenna Mulholland

McKayla Timmons

Players Mentioned

Kaitlyn Gibson

McKenna Mulholland

Maia Pietrzak

Breanna Severino

McKayla Timmons

Hayley Urban

Maddie Weaver

Ella Whitney