The Ball State University softball team came into the weekend in first place in the Mid-American Conference West Division and came out of the weekend in the same place.
The Cardinals played host to the No. 2 and 3 teams in the MAC West this past weekend and went 3-1 in the two doubleheaders, sweeping Northern Illinois University on Friday and splitting with Western Michigan University on Saturday.
Friday started off with a bang as Jen Reifschneider hit a three-run home run in her first at bat in the bottom of the first inning, tying the Ball State single-season home run record at eight. The homer ended a 32-day, 21-game drought for Reifschneider.
"I've been really early on everything," Reifschneider said. "So I thought to myself, 'let the ball get deeper,' and I got a hold of it. I think it was the first one I've ever hit opposite field."
The southpaw pull-hitter said she has been working in practice on hitting outside pitches. Scouting reports say to keep pitches on the outside part of the plate against her to keep her in the park, which is why she has been working to improve hitting them.
Coach Craig Nicholson said Reifschneider's work in practice is beginning to pay dividends in helping her get out of her recent slump, and he thinks things will soon turn around for her.
"She's hit a rough patch," Nicholson said. "It happens to everyone every season. I like the way she looked. I thought she was going to have a big day. She had a couple of pop-ups that she just missed."
Reifschneider's three-run shot was not the only offense the Cardinals had in the game. A series of Northern Illinois miscues on defense allowed two more Ball State runs in the bottom of the fourth.
In the second game, the Cardinals came out swinging against scoring two runs in the first innings and three more in the second.
The offensive standout for the day was left fielder Allie Pennock. Pennock went 5-for-8 with five runs, one RBI and two stolen bases. Pennock was also busy on defense, recording a game-high five putouts in the second game.
The Cardinal pitching staff also took care of business, allowing one run in the first game and three in the second.
Elizabeth Milian had five strikeouts in her 21st complete game of the season.
In the second game, Laura Masch had two strikeouts and three earned runs in 5.1 innings of work before being relieved by freshman Kim Mazzapica. Mazzapica made her second appearance in three games, giving up no hits in 1.2 innings of work.
Nicholson said Mazzapica's performance against Purdue University on Wednesday gave him enough confidence to bring the freshman in against a MAC opponent.
"I think if she didn't throw that inning Wednesday, I probably would have had Milian back in there," Nicholson said. "She went out there and made her pitches and did a really nice job."
Nicholson said he might start to use Mazzapica in relief more often, but it will depend on the batters she would face.
Saturday was a tale of offensive power as Ball State split a doubleheader with Western Michigan, who is second to Ball State in the MAC West.
Between the two games on Saturday, Western Michigan hit three home runs, while Ball State went yard twice. Both Ball State homers came off the bat of freshman Amanda Montalto.
Montalto said she has changed her approach at the plate and it is starting to show.
"After one game, coach came up to me and said, 'Look, I don't care if you strikeout every once in a while, just as long as you swing out of your shoes like we know you can," Montalto said. "That really hit home for me. I was being really passive, but now I'm being aggressive and getting the results I want."
Nicholson said Montalto has been progressing well during the season and is finally adjusted to the college game and expects more big things from her.
"She's had a really good bat lately, and that's why she's in the lineup. I think it was just a matter of time because she's been working on it. She's definitely in a good groove now."
Nicholson moved Montalto up a position in the lineup to sixth in the order, behind Jen Reifschneider. He said he hopes Montalto's success will force pitchers to pitch to Reifschneider instead of around her, which will benefit both hitters.
In the first game, a two-run home run in the first inning by Western Michigan put Ball State in the hole from the beginning of the game. The Broncos scored two more in the third to give them four. Ball State managed a run every inning from the second through the fifth, to tie the game. A scoreless last two innings sent the game into extra innings.
Western Michigan scored in the top half of the eighth. Ball State managed to load the bases with two outs, but was unable to score a run, giving the Cardinals their second MAC loss, snapping an 11-game win streak in MAC play.
The Cardinals came back with a vengeance in the second game, notching 10 runs in the five-inning game while giving up two. The game was called after five innings because Ball State led by eight runs.
Ball State scored three runs in the first and another five in the second. Amanda Montalto hit her second home run of the day in the second inning, much to her surprise.
"I though I had popped it up and I was really upset with myself but then the next thing I know, I hear De Feo going crazy and my whole team going crazy, and I'm like, 'Wow, I must have hit it over.'"
Montalto's home run helped ignite a five-run Cardinal second, which put them in comfortable lead at 8-2. At the end of the day, Montalto went 4-for-5 with six RBIs and two runs.
All of the offensive production was not limited to Montalto, however.
Lisa Rozanski went 5-for-7 from the plate, notched her 24th stolen base of the season and accounted for five of Ball State's 14 runs. She also missed her first career home run as she hit a triple off the top of the fence, her seventh of the season. She now stands two triples away from tying the school record.
Kate Wilczynski went 3-for-5 from the plate.
In both games, the Cardinal defense also had a good outing, giving up one error in the first game and none in the second.
"Our defense was really fantastic," Nicholson said. "We didn't make any spectacular plays, but we made a lot of plays that you see people make mistakes on. We had a couple of really good plays and were just solid. We played catch today; we caught and threw really well."
The Cardinals 3-1 weekend keeps the team in first place in the MAC-West at 13-2 and 23-18 overall. Western Michigan is in second place in the division at 9-5, three and a half games back. Northern Illinois is in third at 6-8, six and a half games behind.
With three wins this weekend, the Cardinals secured a position in the MAC tournament for May 6-9 at the University of Akron.
Nicholson said clinching a spot in the tournament was not high on his list of goals but rather focusing on winning the tournament is, once it comes time for the tournament to begin.
Ball State will take a two-day midweek road trip this week as it travels to Morehead State University for a doubleheader on Tuesday and to Indiana University on Wednesday.
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