Ball State University Athletics
Wednesday, April 15
Muncie, IN
2 p.m.
Ball State University
16-23
8
vs
7
Indiana State
19-22
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana State | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 2 |
| Ball State | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 0 |
Photo by: Brayden Goins / Ball State Athletics
Softball Rallies Past Indiana State in Non-Conference Finale
April 15, 2026 | Softball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Junior Maia Pietrzak took a big one for the team Wednesday afternoon, staying in the batter's box on a 1-2 pitch which hit her in the forearm and sealed an 8-7 come-from-behind victory over Indiana State at the Ball State Softball Stadium.
Â
Trailing 7-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth, the Cardinals (16-23) used a two-run laser by redshirt senior pinch hitter Jessica Hoffman to cut the edge to four runs at 7-3.
Â
While Ball State would bring the tying run to the plate with two outs in the inning, the Sycamores (19-22) were able to escape the frame with a four-run edge after a liner to left field.
Â
The guests were not as lucky in the final frame, however, as the Cardinals were able to capitalize on a costly error as part of a five-run seventh.
Â
Pietrzak would start the rally with a leadoff walk, while one-out walks to redshirt junior third baseman / catcher Skylinn Pogue and sophomore second baseman Addison Zimpleman loaded the bases.
Â
Senior first baseman Lindsey DeRoeck followed with a bloop single to shallow left center to drive in the first run of the rally. The next at bat was the most crucial of the game, however, as senior left fielder Ashlee Lovett grounded to third base.
Â
ISU would attempt to get the lead runner at home, but an errant throw to the plate helped the Cardinals get two runs on the play, making the score 7-6. In addition, another error helped advance the remaining runners to second and third.
Â
After a walk to redshirt senior right fielder Hayley Urban loaded the bases, another fielder's choice led to the second out of the inning at home. With two outs and bases loaded, freshman center fielder Paige Kelley drove in the tying run with a hard shot to left field.
Â
That put Pietrzak in the box for the second time in the frame. She started her at bat with a called strike, followed by a ball. Another called strike made it a 1-2 count, while she stayed alive by fouling off the next pitch.
Â
Luckily, the next 1-2 pitch came a little to far inside, hitting Pietrzak to bring home the game-winning run. The clutch plate appearance helped the Cardinals snap an eight-game losing streak heading into a crucial Mid-American Conference series at Miami Friday and Saturday.
Â
Overall, the Cardinals registered six hits in the game, led by two from senior designated player Ella Whitney.
Â
In the circle, the victory was setup by junior reliever Brinkley Kita who allowed just one base runner over the final 3.0 innings. She improved to 5-6 on the season after locking down a Sycamores offense which blasted three-run home runs in both the second and fifth innings before she entered to pitch.
Â
Trailing 7-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth, the Cardinals (16-23) used a two-run laser by redshirt senior pinch hitter Jessica Hoffman to cut the edge to four runs at 7-3.
Â
While Ball State would bring the tying run to the plate with two outs in the inning, the Sycamores (19-22) were able to escape the frame with a four-run edge after a liner to left field.
Â
The guests were not as lucky in the final frame, however, as the Cardinals were able to capitalize on a costly error as part of a five-run seventh.
Â
Pietrzak would start the rally with a leadoff walk, while one-out walks to redshirt junior third baseman / catcher Skylinn Pogue and sophomore second baseman Addison Zimpleman loaded the bases.
Â
Senior first baseman Lindsey DeRoeck followed with a bloop single to shallow left center to drive in the first run of the rally. The next at bat was the most crucial of the game, however, as senior left fielder Ashlee Lovett grounded to third base.
Â
ISU would attempt to get the lead runner at home, but an errant throw to the plate helped the Cardinals get two runs on the play, making the score 7-6. In addition, another error helped advance the remaining runners to second and third.
Â
After a walk to redshirt senior right fielder Hayley Urban loaded the bases, another fielder's choice led to the second out of the inning at home. With two outs and bases loaded, freshman center fielder Paige Kelley drove in the tying run with a hard shot to left field.
Â
That put Pietrzak in the box for the second time in the frame. She started her at bat with a called strike, followed by a ball. Another called strike made it a 1-2 count, while she stayed alive by fouling off the next pitch.
Â
Luckily, the next 1-2 pitch came a little to far inside, hitting Pietrzak to bring home the game-winning run. The clutch plate appearance helped the Cardinals snap an eight-game losing streak heading into a crucial Mid-American Conference series at Miami Friday and Saturday.
Â
Overall, the Cardinals registered six hits in the game, led by two from senior designated player Ella Whitney.
Â
In the circle, the victory was setup by junior reliever Brinkley Kita who allowed just one base runner over the final 3.0 innings. She improved to 5-6 on the season after locking down a Sycamores offense which blasted three-run home runs in both the second and fifth innings before she entered to pitch.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kita, Brinkley (5-6)
L: Sackett, Lauren (10-12)
Batting:
2B: Waggoner, Annie 1
HR: Esposito, Sophie 1 ; Burns, Addie 1
RBI: Waggoner, Annie 1 ; Esposito, Sophie 3 ; Burns, Addie 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Waggoner, Annie 1 ; Pusateri, Bella 1 ; Esposito, Sophie 2 ; Poulson, Madison 1 ; Chavez, Mallory 1 ; Burns, Addie 1
CS: Poulson, Madison 1
HBP: Poulson, Madison 1
Batting:
RBI: Pietrzak, Maia 1 ; Kelley, Paige 1 ; Whitney, Ella 1 ; DeRoeck, Lindsey 1 ; Hoffman, Jessica 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Cullen, Ayvah 1 ; Peitersen, Veronica 1 ; Pietrzak, Maia 1 ; Urban, Hayley 1 ; Kelley, Paige 1 ; Whitney, Ella 1 ; Pogue, Skylinn 1 ; Lovett, Ashlee 1
HBP: Pietrzak, Maia 1 ; Zimpleman, Addison 1 ; DeRoeck, Lindsey 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
C/INF
/ Softball
UT
/ SoftballINF / RHP
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballSoftball vs. Kent State - Single Camera w/Crowd Audio
Friday, April 24
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