Softball Drops Both Ends of Saturday Doubleheader to WMU

Saturday, April 11

Muncie, IN

1 p.m.

Ball State University

15-21, 3-13

Western Michigan

19-19, 8-8

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Western Michigan	0	5	0	0	0	0	0	5	5	1
Ball State	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	5	0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Western Michigan	0	3	0	0	0	1	0	4	8	2
Ball State	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	7	0

Junior Maia Pietrzak hits an RBI single in the seventh inning vs. Western Michigan

Softball Drops Both Ends of Saturday Doubleheader to WMU

April 11, 2026 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

MUNCIE, Ind. - - The second inning was not kind to the Ball State softball team Saturday afternoon, as Western Michigan used a pair of big second frames to sweep a Mid-American Conference doubleheader at the Ball State Softball Stadium.

In the opener, the Broncos (20-19; 9-8 MAC) plated five second inning runs on its way to a 5-2 victory. In the nightcap, WMU scored three in the second stanza on its way to a 4-1 win.

Despite the two setbacks, the Cardinals (15-22; 3-14 MAC) struck first on the day as junior shortstop Maia Pietrzakopened the first game with a triple down the right field line and scored on a one-out grounder to second by redshirt junior third baseman Skylinn Pogue.

Unfortunately, it was BSU's only lead of the day as the Broncos struck for five in the visiting half of the second. Ball State's final run of the opening game came on an RBI single from Pietrzak which drove in senior center fielder Ashlee Lovett who reenters as a pinch runner after junior pinch hitter Sophie Schoch drew a walk.

Another bright spot in the opening game was the pitching of redshirt junior Bridie Murphy, who allowed just two hits over the final 5.1 innings. She also struck out four batters, including getting all three batters in the top of the fifth looking.

In the nightcap, however, the Broncos' offense finally got to Murphy in the second, scoring three runs.

After WMU extended its lead to 4-0 in the top of the sixth, the Cardinals were able to get one run back in the bottom of the frame on another RBI single to center field from Pietrzak. Redshirt sophomore pinch runner Veronica Peitersenscored on the play from second.

Pietrzak finished the day with three hits and two RBI. Sophomore second baseman Addison Zimpleman also collected three hits on the day, with two in the opener and one in the nightcap.

In a solid relief outing of her own, freshman Grace Gray held Western Michigan to four hits and one run over the final 5.0 innings of the nigthcap. She also recorded four strikeouts.

Ball State and Western Michigan will conclude their three-game series Sunday with a Noon first pitch back at the Ball State Softball Stadium.