The softball team won the first game and tied the second at Ohio Wednesday, picking up its first Mid-American Conference win.
The Cardinals had their highest offensive output of the year in the first game beating the Bobcats 8-4. Head coach Terri Laux said the team had to adjust to Ohio's pitching in order to score the runs.
"Their pitching was slower, but I was happy with the way we adjusted to it," Laux said. "We pretty much continued to score the whole game."
The Cardinals (5-12-1) collected 11 hits in the game and scored in every inning but two. Freshman right hander Quincy Duran picked up the win.
Junior outfielder Kris Burdine led the team offensively, going 2-4 with two RBIs, three runs scored and a home-run.
Ball State had to battle back from three runs down to tie in the second game. The Bobcats (3-10-1) were up 4-1 in the fifth when the Cardinals started their rally. They tied the score in the top of the seventh and the game ended after the ninth, 4-4.
"We had scoring opportunities, we just didn't make offensive adjustments like we should have," Laux said. "We played great defense to stay in the game."
Laux attributed her team's improved performance to patience on offense, something she said it didn't have previously.
"Before, we were a little too anxious on the offensive side," Laux said. "Today we were sitting back, waiting for strikes to be thrown. We kept attacking the pitchers. Now we're starting to get hits and score runs."
Laux added that the Cardinals' defense is getting better as the season moves on. She said this is from her team getting comfortable with each other.
"Defensive wise, we've started to gel," Laux said. "The players are more comfortable with who they're playing next to. Overall it was a great defensive effort. Everyone picked it up. We made the plays when we needed them."
After the team lost 12 of its first 16 games, Laux said she told her players before the game that it was time for a change. She said the players responded.
"I put a challenge in front of them as a team that we need to do something to improve," Laux said. "They accepted it and went through with it. We took some strides forward. That needs to continue."
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