When the ball left senior catcher Amanda Montalto's bat and carried straight over the center field wall, narrowly missing the flap pole, it marked the 45th time this season that Ball State had homered.
The home run was a part of a six-run fourth inning barrage that gave Ball State (28-12) a 12-4 victory in six innings over Indiana (21-21).
Montalto's 10th home run broke a team record set last year and gives the Cardinals a shot at the Mid-American Conference team single season record. With 12 regular season games remaining, Ball State is 14 home runs shy of tying the MAC record of 59 set in 2010 by Kent State.
Coach Craig Nicholson said the power offense is not necessarily his preferred philosophy, but he said as a coach it's important to adapt to the players on the team.
"Every hitter that comes up there has the ability to drive the ball," Nicholson said. "Even our kids at the bottom of the order that might not hit a ton of home runs or slap kids, they can hit the ball to the fence and they can get three bases."
The offense was led by Montalto and freshman right fielder Hanne Stuedemann's three RBI day. Stuedeman has reached base safely in 31 straight games for Ball State. Her streak has continued with her move up into the leadoff role where Nicholson said she has thrived so far this year.
"She's not the fastest kid we have," Nicholson said. "But the fact that we're not running a ton lets us put her in that leadoff spot, hope she gets on base and then let those hitters behind her try and drive her in."
Nicholson said her ability to get on base in front of Montalto and sophomore left fielder Jennifer Gilbert, who leads the MAC in home runs, has been huge for the offense.
"It's really nice to hit in front of them because I know if I don't get the job done, they'll pick me up because they're both great hitters so it takes the pressure off," Stuedemann said.
Senior right-hander Kim Mazzapica started the game for Ball State and pitched well. She allowed six hits and two earned runs in four innings before she was relieved by senior right-hander Audrey Workman.
Workman, who struggled last weekend, battled control issues in her two innings of work but Nicholson said she looked sharp by striking out four Indiana hitters looking. Nicholson said despite her four walks, she looked like she was around the plate.
Ball State hosts Eastern Michigan (19-24) in a doubleheader at 1 p.m. on Friday and Central Michigan (20-19) for two games Saturday and Sunday.
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