Softball Sweeps Friday Doubleheader at Buffalo

Friday, May 1

Buffalo, NY

2 p.m.

Ball State University

21-25, 8-17

Buffalo

24-30, 10-15

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Ball St.	0	3	0	3	3	0	5	14	12	2
Buffalo	0	0	0	0	2	2	0	4	9	1

Bridie Murphy pitching in her white pinstripe uniform at the Ball State Softball Stadium

May 01, 2026 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

BUFFALO, N.Y. - - The Ball State softball team picked up its second consecutive series victory with a doubleheader sweep at Buffalo Friday afternoon.

The Cardinals (22-25; 9-17 Mid-American Conference) opened the day with a 14-4 victory, before taking the nightcap over the Bulls (24-31; 10-16 MAC) by a final of 9-7.

Senior right fielder Hayley Urban and senior first baseman Lindsey DeRoeck paced the offense with five RBIs apiece over the twinbill, while freshman center fielder Paige Kelley was credited with a team-high five hits for a .556 (5-for-9).

After a scoreless opening inning, the Ball State offense found its grove in the second inning of the opener, using an RBI single from Urban and a two-run blast from Kelley to jump ahead 3-0.

The Cardinals doubled the lead in the fourth, starting with an RBI single to left from senior left fielder Ashlee Lovett. Two batters later, DeRoeck plated two more runs by singling though the left site, making the score 6-0.

The next inning saw Ball State tally three more runs, making the score 9-0, starting with a two-run triple down the right field line from Urban. It gave Urban three RBIs in the contest. Kelley followed with her third RBI of the game on a single up the middle.

While Buffalo was able to stay alive with two runs in the fifth, and two more in the sixth, the Cardinals closed the day with a five-run fifth. Lovett drove in Urban for the first run of the inning on a single to right field, while Kelley advanced to third before stealing home.

With runners on the corners after a single by senior designated player Ella Whitney, DeRoeck capped the scoring with a monster three-run blast to left field, giving the game its final score of 14-4.

In the circle, redshirt junior Bridie Murphy was credited with the win, limiting Buffalo to one run and five hits over the first four innings. Junior Brinkley Kita was also credited with the save, pitching the final three innings and surrendering just four hits and three runs, only two of which were earned.

Murphy struck out four on her way to improving to 7-6 on the year, while Kita struck out two in earning her second save of the season.

Urban also opened the scoring in the second inning of the nightcap, smashing an RBI double down the left field line.

While the Bulls pulled ahead 4-2 with two-run doubles in both the second and third innings, the Cardinals reclaimed the lead at 6-4 with a four-run fourth. Senior left fielder Jessica Hoffman started the rally with a two-run double to left center, while Whitney followed with a two-run blast to center.

After Buffalo tied the score at six with two more runs in the sixth, the Cardinals countered with three of its own in the seventh, moving back ahead 9-6. Redshirt junior pinch hitter Grace Spencer opened the rally with a two-run double to left, while redshirt sophomore shortstop Meagan Ramos pushed BSU's final run across with a single to right.

Buffalo would get one more run in the bottom of the seventh and bring the go-ahead run to the plate with two outs, before Murphy struck the final batter out looking to pick up her second win of the day.

Murphy threw the final 4.2 innings of the nightcap, striking out three more batters while scattering five hits and allowing three runs, only one of which was earned. Freshman Grace Gray drew the start, lasting 2.1 innings. She struck out one batter while allowing five hits and four runs, only three of which were earned.

Overall, Murphy finished her day with 8.2 innings of work and seven strikeouts. She also boasted a 1.62 ERA, allowing just two earned runs.

Ball State and Buffalo will close their 2026 season slates tomorrow with a 1 p.m. first pitch back at Nan Harvey Field.

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Thursday, April 30

Ella Whitney batting in her white pinstripe uniform at the Ball State Softball Stadium.

Whitney Named MAC Player of the Week

Wednesday, April 29

Ball State softball's 2026 senior class and their families pose for a pitcher at the Ball State Softball Stadium after Saturday's doubleheader sweep of Kent State.

Softball Completes Senior Weekend Sweep of Kent State

Saturday, April 25

Ball State softball's Allee Noble in her white pinstripe uniform waiting for a pitch in the April 12, 2026 game versus Western Michigan

Noble Helps Softball Storm Past KSU in Series Opener

Friday, April 24

Next Event

Buffalo

May 2 (Sat)

1 p.m.

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Team Stats

Pitching:

W: Murphy, Bridie (7-6)

L: Olivia Russ (9-11)

S: Kita, Brinkley (2)

Ball St.

Batting:

2B: Cullen, Ayvah 1

3B: Urban, Hayley 1

HR: Kelley, Paige 1 ; DeRoeck, Lindsey 1

RBI: Kelley, Paige 3 ; Lovett, Ashlee 2 ; DeRoeck, Lindsey 5 ; Urban, Hayley 3

Base Running:

RUNS: Kelley, Paige 3 ; Lovett, Ashlee 2 ; Whitney, Ella 1 ; DeRoeck, Lindsey 1 ; Noble, Allee 1 ; Cullen, Ayvah 1 ; Ramos, Meagan 1 ; Urban, Hayley 4