After 21 games and 32 days of waiting, Jen Reifschneider earned her place in the Ball State University softball record books Friday.
In her first at bat in a 5-1 win over Northern Illinois University, Reifschneider hit a three-run home run, her eighth long ball of the season. The home run puts her in a three-way tie with Abby Gross and Taylor Yancey for the single-season home run record.
Coach Craig Nicholson said first baseman Reifschneider has been working on her swing in batting practice and it is starting to show in the game.
"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 picked up where they left off in the first game, winning 8-3.
The highlights of the game were the defense of shortstop Alicia Barkley, who had two diving catches, and the offense of Allie Pennock.
On the day, Pennock went 5-8 with five runs, one RBI and two stolen bases.
For the second time in three games, freshman Kim Mazzapica made a relief appearance on the mound for Laura Masch to close the game. Mazzapica was not eligible to pick up the save on the game because Ball State was up by too many runs, but she allowed no hits in her 1.2 innings of work.
Nicholson said Mazzapica's success Wednesday against Purdue University proved she was ready to test the waters of Mid-American Conference play.
"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 may start to use Mazzapica in relief more often, but it will depend on the batters she would face.
Due to anticipated rain on Sunday, the day's game has been moved to Saturday. The doubleheader against Western Michigan University will begin at 2 p.m., with the second game to follow 30 minutes after the first concludes.
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