A trio of pitchers helped guide the Ball State University softball team to a 9-4 record during Spring Break, the most successful span for the Cardinals in the tenure of coach Craig Nicholson.
Tiffany Garofano, Laura Masch and Elizabeth Milian each picked up multiple wins as the Cardinals improved their season record to 16-12, the best record in Nicholson's two-year tenure with Ball State.
"The big thing for us right now is our pitchers are throwing well and giving us a chance to win every game," Nicholson said.
Milian led the Ball State pitchers with a 4-1 record during the trip, improving her season record to 8-4. Masch improved her season record to 3-3 with a 2-1 record for the Cardinals during Spring Break. Garofano also got to the .500 mark at 5-5 for the season with a 3-2 record during the trip.
Nicholson said the depth of the staff allows him to keep the pitchers fresh and pick the best matchups for Ball State.
"The team has a lot of confidence in whoever goes out, and that's half of the battle," he said.
In the Speedline Tournament this weekend, Garofano anchored the rotation with two wins, extending her winning streak to three straight games.
"I regained my confidence pitching, and I have a lot of confidence in my team also," Garofano said.
Nicholson said after the first game of the 13-game trip, an 8-1 loss to Oregon State University, the Cardinals' pitching gave them a chance to win every game. Of the team's four losses during Spring Break, two were by one run.
"The games that we lost, we had opportunities to win those games," Nicholson said. "It's just some days you don't get that key hit to win games."
The Cardinals' success is big for them, Nicholson said, as they head into Mid-American Conference play later this month. If the team continues to play good defense and pitch well, it will be successful, he said.
Garofano said the Spring Break trip was good and it gave the team a nice bonding experience, but she is glad it is done as the team started to get a little tired of being around each other constantly for a week and a half.
"I want to get back to my usual schedule and have a little alone time and be able to think on my own," she said.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
