All-around dominance would almost be an understatement when describing Ball State's play on Thursday.
In its first home games of the year, Ball State played Dayton in a doubleheader and easily ran away with two victories. The first game ended 10-2 in the Cardinals' favor, while the second game was even a wider margin of victory, as Ball State won 15-1.
The two wins give the Cardinals a 17-11 record this season.
Sophomore Audra Sanders pitched four hitless innings in the second game before being replaced by Kim Mazzapica in the final inning. Sanders retired 12 of the 13 batters she faced, tallying four strikeouts and one walk.
Sanders said she thought her pitching gradually improved with each inning.
"Usually, I start out the game slow and get better as the innings go on," she said. "You'd think it would be the opposite, like I would get worse as the game goes on. Usually I just get better for some reason."
Coach Craig Nicholson said his decision to pull Sanders in the middle of a no-hitter was one he made with team's upcoming four-game weekend in mind.
"[Sanders] threw the ball really well," he said. "She's been throwing the ball well most of the year for us. I hate to take her out when she's throwing a no-hitter, but we've got four games coming up this weekend and she understands that."
Freshman Jennifer Gilbert and sophomore Amanda Carpenter had the hot bats on the day for the Cardinals.
Gilbert had three hits, four runs and five RBIs combined in the two games, including a three-run homerun in the second game. It was her fifth homerun of the season.
Carpenter had quality production as well, with four hits, three runs and two RBIs in the doubleheader. She also had two stolen bases.
"I thought we swung the bats as well as I've seen us swing the bats all year," Nicholson said. "We pitched and played defense pretty well too, but I think the key for today was what we were doing with the bats."
Ball State went through 26 games this season before playing in Muncie on Thursday. It was a welcomed homecoming for the Cardinals.
"Its great for us to be on our home field," Nicholson said. "Obviously we played really well today, and that's probably a big part of it. It was good for us to get a chance to play here before we go back on the road for another four weeks."
Ball State's next road trip begins this weekend with games against Toledo and Marshall on Saturday, and another pair of games against Marshall and Purdue on Sunday.
Read More
Ball State tops Texas A&M in second game of Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament
By Logan Connor / 10 hours ago“It's the reason you come to play in tournaments like this, to play really good basketball teams,” head coach Brady Salle said after his team's Battle 4 Atlantis win
Indiana Pacers defeat the Washington Wizards at home
By Derran Cobb / 13 hours agoIn the Pacers first of four straight home games, the Blue and Gold would defeat the Wizards 115-103. Pascal Siakam led the way with 22 points.
Cardinals fall to Western Michigan in MAC Championship Final
By Daniel Kehn / 15 hours agoBall State ended the 2024 season with a loss to Western Michigan in the Mid-American Conference Championship Final.
