The Ball State softball team (16-7) exploded for 14 runs in five innings to back senior pitcher Kim Mazzapica's one-hitter in the final game of the Miami Invitational to lead the team to a 14-0 win over Niagra.
The Cardinals, led by an offense that scored 33 runs in four games, finished the weekend winning three of four including a 9-2 win over Loyola-Chicago after dropping the first game against them on Saturday 5-4. The loss dropped the team to 0-4 in one run games so far this season.
Coach Craig Nicholson said that the team was up and down at times but he sees his veteran hitters showing their ability to battle back from adversity.
"I don't care who it is," Nicholson said. "The best hitters in the world, they have days when they struggle and scuffle. You can't dwell on what happened in the past in this game. I think that our kids that have been around for awhile kind of understand that."
The offense managed to put up five frames of at least four runs scored, three of them coming in the game against Niagra. The team also produced six home runs with two each by senior Amanda Montalto, junior Amanda Carpenter and sophomore Taylor Rager.
"I feel more confident with my swing and I just feel more comfortable at the plate," Carpenter said. "I don't feel so pressured because I have a whole lineup of great hitters. Even when I don't do well, I still have eight other girls to back me up."
Montalto's career long hitting streak came to an end in the loss against Loyola-Chicago but was able to bounce back homering in back to back games to end the weekend.
Senior Audrey Workman (8-5) finished a strong weekend with a win over Loyola and combining in her two starts to throw two complete games. She gave up eight hits, only one earned run and struck out 13 batters in her two starts dropping her ERA to an impressive 1.39.
"The big thing for her is being able to command three pitches and when she does that she's going to be difficult to hit," Nicholson said.
The Cardinals next travel to California to participate in the Mustang Classic. The first game starts at 12:30 p.m. on Friday.
Read More
Ball State women’s basketball falters against South Dakota State
By Elijah Poe / 6 hours agoBall State women's basketball falls to 5-3 on the season after losing to South Dakota State. The loss marks the first time since the 2022-23 season that Ball State women’s basketball has lost two regular season games in a row.
Delta opens 2024-25 with 48-36 win over Connersville
By David Moore / YesterdayThe new Delta squad began 2024-25 with a win over Connersville
