SOFTBALL: Ball State cruises to 13-0 win over Western Michigan

The bottom of the first inning proved the strongest offense of the game for Ball State as the team posted six runs against Western Michigan for what would be an easy 13-0 victory.

After defeating the Broncos in five innings, the Cardinals remain the only team in the conference with an undefeated league record at 7-0.

“Most importantly we got a win against a team we know is competitive,”  senior center fielder Amanda Carpenter said.

Carpenter got the offense heated up by hitting a home run over the left center wall in her first at-bat of the game. She finished the day 2-for-3.

“I capitalize on the types of balls I know I am better at,” Carpenter said.

Senior catcher Sadie Robertson added a home run of her own over the left field  fence later in the inning.

The Cardinals came back in the second adding four more runs, taking the score to 10-0 in the bottom of the inning.

Junior left fielder Jennifer Gilbert led off the third with a single to right field soon followed by freshman shortstop Selena Reyna with a double to left.

The solo run of the inning was scored by freshmen pinch runner Briana Evans when Carpenter hit a double down the left field line.

Carpenter improved her Mid-American Conference-leading record for doubles on the season to 14 in the bottom of the third.

“Everyone on the team motivates me to want to do my best,” she said. “It also helps to have girls in front of me and behind me who can hit.”

Reyna started off the fourth inning by hitting her third home run of the season over the left field wall.

Sophomore pinch hitter Jessica Craft doubled to left center and later scored the second run of the inning and the final run of the game on a Gilbert single to right field. The RBI made Gilbert the program leader with 154 on her career.

Freshman pitcher Nicole Steinbach is now the league leader for shutouts in the circle as she threw her fourth against the Broncos. She allowed just two hits and one walk over five innings, while adding four strikeouts.

The Cardinals plan to come out with the same mentality and play to the same level as they face the Broncos Sunday afternoon to complete the weekend. The game will take place in the Ball State Softball Complex at 1 p.m.