The Ball State University softball team was able to park its bus for the last time this regular season after it picked up a win Tuesday.
In their final road game of the regular season, the Cardinals (20-28, 6-8 Mid-American Conference) defeated Butler University (21-17, 6-3 Horizon League) 3-1.
"It's a game that we definitely should have won and we did," sophomore Allie Pennock said.
It is the first time Ball State has reached the 20-win plateau since 2002. Prior to 2002, the Cardinals had 10 consecutive 20-win seasons.
Junior Abby Gross homered for the seventh time this season. The catcher increased her career home run total to 14, a Ball State record.
"When she gets good pitches to hit and is patient enough, she is successful," coach Craig Nicholson said.
Gross and senior Kelli Jeziorski are tied for the second most home runs this season by a Ball State player. Senior Taylor Yancey leads the Cardinals and has the single-season record with eight home runs.
Pennock, the right fielder, led the Cardinals at the plate as she went 2-for-2 with two walks.
Pennock also batted in a run and stole two bases in the game. She leads the Cardinals with 25 stolen bases this season.
"[Nicholson] trusts us to go and he lets us go," she said. "It's contributed to our success."
Pennock is tied with Heather Hinkle for the second most steals in a season by a Ball State player. Hinkle had 25 steals in 1999 and holds the record with 37 in 1998.
Freshman Alisha Etzler also stole a base and has 21 this season. She is one of three Ball State players to record 20 on the season.
The Cardinals have stolen a school-record 118 bases this season. They stole 16 bases last year.
"It's more exciting when you run and make things happen rather than just sitting around," Pennock said.
Freshman Elizabeth Milian recorded the win and improved her record to 12-15. She pitched the complete seven innings and struck out six. She gave up four hits, two walks and an earned run.
Milian also hit three batters in the game. Her velocity was good, and she was effectively wild, Nicholson said.
"It helped her be effective that they were swinging and missing a lot," he said.
Ball State is scheduled to host a doubleheader against Purdue University today at the BSU Softball Complex.
"Basically we have to do everything we've been doing, catch the ball better and hopefully get some wins," Nicholson said.
The games against Purdue are the final non-conference games of the season for Ball State. The Cardinals have eight games remaining on their schedule, all at home against MAC opponents.
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