Friday's Softball Results
Friday's Scoreboard
Ball State 4, Ohio 1
Ohio 6, Ball State 1
Central Michigan 9, Western Michigan 1
Central MIchigan 4, Western Michigan 3
Kent State 3, Bowling Green 0
Kent State 1, Bowling Green 0
Miami 1, Akron 0
Miami 3, Akron 2
Northern Illinois 5, Eastern Michigan 3
Northern Illinois 5, Eastern Michigan 2
Buffalo 2, Toledo 1
Toledo 4, Buffalo 3
Ball State 4, Ohio 1
Ohio 6, Ball State 1
Results
Results
ATHENS, Ohio - - The Ball State softball team rebounded from a 6-1 opening game loss Friday afternoon to earn a 4-1 victory over Ohio in the nightcap of a Mid-American Conference doubleheader at the Ohio Softball Field.
With the split, Ball State moves to 26-22 (11-4 MAC) and secures a spot in the eight-team 2015 MAC Tournament which will be held May 6-9 in Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio. The Cardinals are currently tied for the top spot in the league standings with Kent State (11-4 MAC) which picked up a doubleheader sweep at Bowling Green Friday. Ohio, the defending MAC Tournament Champion, moves to 15-26 (7-7 MAC) with the split versus Ball State.
Seniors Loren Cihlar (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) and Jessica Craft (LaPorte, Ind./LaPorte) turned in solid offensive performances versus the Bobcats, as each finished the day 4-for-7 with a run scored. Cihlar was 3-for-3 in the opener, while Craft was 3-for-4 in the nightcap with a pair of RBI.
In her first pitching start of the season, junior Kelsey Schifferdecker (Belton, Mo./Belton) earned the victory in the second game by holding the Bobcats to just six hits and one run over 7.0 innings. She also struck out a pair of batters while improving to 3-1.
The Ball State softball team returns to action Saturday, when it opens a two-game stop at Akron with a 2 p.m. contest. The Cardinals and Zips will close the series with a 1 p.m. first pitch Sunday.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB and @TyraPerry13 / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSoftball.
GAME 2 RECAP: Ball State 4 – Ohio 1
Determined to rebound from the opening-game loss, the Cardinals struck first in the nightcap with two runs in the top of the first inning. Junior shortstop Selena Reyna (Houston, Texas/South Houston) opened the game with an infield single and advanced to second on a one-out single from junior second baseman Emily Dabkowski (Plainfield, Ind./South Putnam).
After seeing her 14-game hitting streak snapped in the opener, senior right fielder Hanne Stuedemann (Mattawan, Mich./Mattawan) started a new one with a RBI single up the middle to drive in the game’s first run. Craft followed with a RBI single through the left side to give Ball State a 2-0 lead.
The Bobcats cut the Ball State lead to 2-1 with a run in the home half of the second inning, only to see Schifferdecker retire 15 of the final 18 batters she faced in the game, including sitting down the Ohio offense in order in both the fourth and seventh innings.
Dabkowski would add one of two Ball State insurance runs by leading off the top of the fifth with a solo home run, while an RBI double from Craft drove in Cihlar in the top of the sixth for the game’s final run.
The Bobcats jumped on the board in the bottom of the third inning of game one after two scoreless innings for both teams. Amanda Dalton (Salem, Va.) was hit by a pitch and then Sloan Walker (Cypress, Texas) singled to the shortstop and allowed Dalton to advance to second. Then Casie Hutchinson (Lebanon, Ohio) flied out to centerfield to advance Walker to third. Dalton stole third and then scored on a throwing error by the catcher, putting Ohio up 1-0.
Ohio added four to its lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Dalton led off on an error by Ball State's third baseman, Walker then singled to third base on a bunt advancing Dalton to second. Timmie Rappe (Wheaton, Ill.) loaded the bases on a walk. Hutchinson hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Dalton and advancing Rappe and Walker to second and third. Walker then score when Clarke added an RBI single through the left side and advanced Rappe to third. Adrienne Gebele (Annapolis, M.D.) doubled to right center allowing Clarke and Rappe to score increasing Ohio's lead to 5-0 over the Cardinals.
At the bottom of the sixth, Mikayla Cooper (Delaware, Ohio) homered to right field, giving the Bobcats a 6-0 lead.
Ball State added one run in the top of the seventh inning on an RBI by Sammi Cowger to end the game with an Ohio 6-1 win.
At the plate, Ohio had eight total hits, with Clarke leading the way going 2-for-2 with one run scored. Walker went 2-for-4 with one run scored and Dalton went 1-for-3 with two runs scored. Cooper added a hit and an RBI and Gebele added two RBIs.
In the circle, Lauren McClary (Pasadena, Texas) got the start and pitched five innings, allowing zero runs on three hits and striking out five. Sydney Compston (Wellston, Ohio) took over in the top of sixth and pitched two innings and allowed one run on four hits.
Game two of the doubleheader started with the Cardinals going up 2-0 in the top of the first inning.
Ohio responded with a run scored by Madison Claytor (Alpharetta, Ga.) in the bottom of the second after she walked and Dalton singled to right field.
After two scoreless innings, the Cardinals added a run to their score on an RBI single by Emily Dabkowski in the top of the fifth to lead Ohio 3-1.
Ball State added to their lead in the top of the sixth on a double to right field by Jessica Craft to put the Cardinals up 4-1, which would be the final.
At the plate, the Bobcats had six hits. Walker led the way going 2-for-4 and registered one RBI. Rappe, Hutchinson and Clarke all went 1-for-3. Claytor scored the only run for Ohio.
In the circle, Cooper got the start, pitching a third of an inning and allowing two runs on four hits. McClary led the way allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out five in 5.1 innings and Compston did not allow any hits in 1.1 innings.
The Bobcats return to action tomorrow against Miami in for the Battle of the Bricks. Due to rain in the forecast, the game is now set to begin at 11 a.m. at the Ohio Softball Field. The first 200 fans will receive a McDonalds sausage biscuit.
Buffalo 2, Toledo 1
Toledo 4, Buffalo 3
Results
Results
TOLEDO, OH – The University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, softball team, split a pair of games at Toledo on Friday, winning the opener 2-1 before falling in the second game in extra innings, 4-3.
UB rode the hot-hand of starting pitcher Bobbi Langlois, who allowed just one unearned run in the opening game. Toledo got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning, but UB answered in the top of the third, which included another double from senior Alexis Curtiss, who moved to third on a single up the middle from freshman Savanna Norcio. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, which scored Curtiss.
The game remained tied into the fifth as senior Karly Nevez opened the inning with a single to center field. She moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and another bunt moved her to third base. Nevez came in to score on an illegal pitch, which gave UB the 2-1 lead.
The Bulls continued to hold the advantage into the bottom of the seventh when they used some solid defense to preserve the win. The Rockets put runners at second and third with nobody out, but the Bulls got an unassisted double play when third baseman Lauren Gambone snagged a line drive and doubled up the runner at third. A line drive to shortstop ended the game.
Langlois picked up her sixth win of the year as she allowed eight hits and just one unearned run, while striking out two. Nevez went 3-for-3 in the game, while Norcio went 2-for-3 in the contest.
In the second game, the Bulls were unable to hold on to a late 3-1 lead as Toledo scored two in the seventh and one more in the eighth. The Bulls got on the board first as Curtiss singled to lead off the game and scored on a steal of home.
The Rockets tied it up in the bottom of the second, but a solo home run from Curtiss in the top of the third put the Bulls back ahead. UB added another run in the top of the fifth as sophomore Ashton Earnhardt singled to left and then stole second. She came in to score on a double from freshman Makyla Kowaliuk, who came on as a pinch hitter.
UB held the 3-1 lead into the seventh inning, but the Rockets put two in scoring position and with two outs, they got a two-run triple to tie the game up. UB had its chance in the eighth inning as senior Hayley Barrow opened up the inning with a double and the Bulls put two in scoring position with one out, but a pair of strikeouts, with a walk in between, ended the inning. In the bottom of the eighth, Toledo put a runner at third with one out, who came in to score on a bunt single, giving the Rockets the walk-off win.
Langlois picked up the loss in the game as she went the distance in the circle. Curtiss went 3-for-3 with a walk as she also had a double and a home run. The double was her league-leading 22nd of the year. Gambone went 2-for-4 in the contest.
"It was great to start the day off with a win," said head coach Trena Peel. "My girls player their hearts out today. We fought until the last out. Bobbi threw 15 strong innings and she put us in position to win both games today. I thought we swung the bats well as Alexis was on fire all day and Karly drove the ball hard every at bat. Our pinch hitters Madison, Makayla, and Sarah all did their jobs at the plate. Losing in the bottom of the eighth in game two left a bad taste in my mouth. Hopefully, it will make us hungrier for tomorrow against BG."
The Bulls open their two-game series with Bowling Green tomorrow at 1:00 pm. The game was moved up an hour due to weather forecasted in the Bowling Green area for later in the day.
Central Michigan 9, Western Michigan 1
Central MIchigan 4, Western Michigan 3
Results
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Central Michigan softball team swept its doubleheader with Western Michigan on Friday, topping the Broncos, 9-1 and 4-3.
The wins improved Chippewas' record to 21-18, 9-5 in the Mid-American Conference and moved them ahead of WMU (18-21, 8-6) and into second place in the MAC West.
CMU tallied nine hits including three home runs in Friday's opener.
Katelyn Rentschler had two homers among her three hits to lead the Chippewas at the plate, while Chelsea DeLamielleure hit a two-run blast.
Rentschler leads CMU with nine home runs, while DeLamielleure is second on the roster with seven.
Freshmen Sara Hansen and Maison Kalina added two hits apiece. Kalina notched two RBI.
Sophomore Rachael Knapp went the distance for CMU, striking out seven while allowing five hits in improving to 13-7. The Chippewas played error-free defense behind her.
Rentschler's one-out sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth inning broke a 3-3 tie and gave the Chippewas the victory in game two.
DeLamielleure had two hits including a double to lead CMU's nine-hit attack. Kristen Kuhlman and Maison each drove in a run.
CMU starter Hanna Warren (6-8), a freshman, pitched five innings for the win. She allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits while striking out five.
Knapp allowed one hit in two innings of relief for her fourth save. She struck out four.
The Chippewa pitchers did not issue a walk in either game. CMU committed two errors in the nightcap.
The Chippewas travel to Dekalb, Ill., to take on Northern Illinois (25-19, 9-5) in a doubleheader on Sunday at 1 p.m. CMU and the Huskies are tied for the fourth-best record in the conference behind Kent State and Ball State, both 11-4, and Miami (Ohio), which is 10-6.
Kent State 3, Bowling Green 0
Kent State 1, Bowling Green 0
Results
Results
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Senior Emma Johnson's no-hitter highlighted a dominant day of pitching performances by Kent State on the way to a doubleheader sweep of Bowling Green Friday night. The Golden Flashes held the host Falcons without a run, taking the opening game, 3-0, and finishing it off with a 1-0 win in the nightcap.
Kent State (33-11) earned its first road sweep of the conference season and improved to 11-4 in Mid-American Conference play.
Johnson threw 8.1 hitless innings on the day, including the third no-hitter of her collegiate career. This, however, was the first seven-inning no-hitter for the hurler from Groveport, Ohio. Her previous no-hit performances against Michigan State on March 7 and against Toledo last season came in games in which Kent State run-ruled the opponent in five innings.
Sophomore Ronnie Ladines was also terrific in the circle, shutting Bowling Green down for 5.2 innings before being relieved by Johnson in the second game.
"I'm really pleased with how we played today," said head coach Karen Linder. "I knew these were going to be tough games for us. Obviously, our pitchers really did a nice job and we played great defense behind them. Dani had that nice throw at the plate and Holly made that diving catch. Offensively, I wish we would've had a few more timely hits, but we did a nice job taking advantage of BG's mistakes."
The Flashes outhit the Falcons on the day, 15-5. Sophomore Maddy Grimm led the way with four hits, while junior Michele Duffy and senior Dani Ramos added three hits apiece.
Game 1: Kent State 3, Bowling Green 0
Emma Johnson (17-5) fanned 13 batters on the way to her third career no-hitter. A full count walk issued to leadoff the sixth inning is all that stood between Johnson and a perfect game.
Kent State got on the board in the fourth inning on a solo shot to straightaway centerfield by Michele Duffy.
The Flashes struck for two more runs the following inning on consecutive hits by the first three batters in the lineup. Kim Kirkpatrick doubled to centerfield and scored when Dani Ramos found a gap in right-center for a triple. Maddy Grimm made it a 3-0 game with a single the opposite way.
Game 2: Kent State 1, Bowling Green 0
Ronnie Ladines (10-5) pitched 5.2 scoreless innings to earn the victory for Kent State. Ladines held the Falcons to only five hits and had five strikeouts to just one walk. Emma Johnson threw the final 1.1 innings to earn her second save of the season. Johnson did not surrender a hit and had two strikeouts.
The Golden Flashes took advantage of a Bowling Green error to score the only run of the game in the first inning. Dani Ramos beat out a ball hit back to the pitcher and went to second when the throw to first sailed over the first baseman's head. After moving to third on an infield single by Maddy Grimm, Ramos scored on a groundout to second off the bat of Holly Speers.
Bowling Green had its only scoring opportunity of the day denied when Ramos gunned down a runner at the plate on a strike from shallow centerfield to bring the fourth inning to a close. A two-out single and passed ball put a Falcons base runner in scoring position. The next batter hit a ball back up the middle and a charging Ramos scooped it up and fired to the plate to get the runner by country mile.
The Flashes return to action on Saturday with a 1 p.m. contest at Toledo.
Miami 1, Akron 0
Miami 3, Akron 2
Results
Results
AKRON, Ohio – Thanks to a gritty all-around effort and some superb pitching from junior Amber Logemann, the Miami University softball team earned a pair of 10-inning victories at Akron on Friday. The RedHawks took the first game, 1-0. They then came from behind to earn a 3-2 win in the nightcap. Miami improves to 27-20 overall and 10-6 in the Mid-American Conference. The Zips fall to 20-22 overall and 7-8 in the MAC.
Logemann could not be touched in the opener. She kept a no-hitter going past the regulation point of the game, totaling 8 2/3 innings. Akron got a threat in the bottom of the seventh, when a walk and an error put runners on first and third with two outs. Logemann calmly struck out Sara Pearson to send the game into extra innings.
The Zips got their next threat in the bottom of the ninth inning. After Logemann recorded the first two outs, the next batter walked. Savannah Fruin then hit a hard shot that actually went off Logemann’s leg. She just missed getting a glove on it, but it got away and into centerfield for Akron’s first and only hit of the contest. That put runners on second and third with two outs. Once again Logemann stepped up and struck out Taylor Kirian to keep the game alive.
Meanwhile, the RedHawks had managed five hits in the first nine innings off Zips pitcher Erin Seiler, but could not manage to string them together for a run. With two outs and no one on in the top of the 10th, senior shortstop Kylie McChesney hit a line shot to right centerfield. She hustled in to second base for a double, sliding under the tag. Senior outfielder Tiyona Marshall then hit a blooper into shallow leftfield. The ball went under the glove of the leftfielder, allowing McChesney to come home and score the game’s first run.
In the bottom of the 10th, Logemann retired Akron in order on a pair of groundouts and a strikeout for her 22nd win of the season. She allowed no runs on only one hit in 10 innings pitched, while striking out 12.
Marshall and sophomore second baseman each finished the opener 2-for-5 to lead the RedHawks.
Both teams started the second game with new pitchers. Despite that, the duel continued. Miami used a combination of sophomore Kelsey Fredericks, senior Remy Edwards and senior Megan Mattera to get through the first four innings.
The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth, when a solo home run, followed by a pair of singles and an error resulted in two runs, giving Akron a 2-0 lead.
Despite the Zips putting Seiler back in the game at that point, Miami fought right back in the top of the fifth. With one out, Marshall singled to short. A sacrifice bunt by junior designated player Tanya Busby moved her up to second. Sophomore second baseman Eryn McCarver followed with a single up the middle that scored Marshall and cut the deficit to 2-1. Senior first baseman Shanyn McIntyre then tied the game on a double to centerfield that scored McCarver.
Logemann came back in during the bottom of the fifth and again proceeded to keep Akron off the board. While she did not keep the Zips hitless, they were unable to get a runner past first base over the next five innings.
The RedHawks finally got the winning run in the top of the 10th. Marshall led off with a single to leftfield. She advanced to second on a passed ball and to third on a sacrifice bunt from Busby. After McCarver drew a walk, McIntyre hit a ball through the Akron third baseman’s leg, allowing Marshall to score and eventually give the ‘Hawks a 3-2 win.
Logemann allowed no runs on two hits in 5.0 innings pitched to earn her 23rd win of the season. For the day, she gave up no runs and only three hits in 16.0 innings pitched while striking out 14.
Marshall finished the nightcap 3-for-5 with two runs scored. McCarver was 2-for-2 with one RBI and one run scored.
Miami now travels to Ohio to begin a two-game weekend series. Saturday’s game has been moved up to an 11 a.m. start due to poor weather expected in the afternoon.
Northern Illinois 5, Eastern Michigan 3
Northern Illinois 5, Eastern Michigan 2
Results
Results
DEKALB, Ill. -- The Northern Illinois University softball team opened its final home weekend in style Friday, sweeping Eastern Michigan in a MAC West doubleheader.
The Huskies (25-19, 9-5 MAC) got four home runs on the day against the Eagles (15-27, 4-9 MAC), including two from Kayti Grable in game two that put her in a tie for most single-season home runs in program history.
"It's huge," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "If we can do well on Sunday and put ourselves in a position to relax in those final games and work for some positioning in the tournament, that's ultimately what we're trying to do."
Game One: Huskies Edge Eagles, 5-3
NIU got out to a fast start and held on for a 5-3 win against Eastern Michigan in game one.
The Huskies struck early with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first, while back-to-back homers from Allyson Hecht (Huntington Beach, Calif./Edison) and Caitlyn Warren (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) gave NIU the lead for good.
The Huskies grabbed an early lead in the bottom of the first. Bryanna Phelan (Coal City, Ill./Coal City) led off with a walk, while Kayti Grable (Santee, Calif./Santana) was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with one out. Two batters later, Bekah Harnish (Maple Park, Ill./Burlington Central) dropped a single over third base to bring in Phelan, while an error in left field allowed Grable to score for a 2-0 lead.
EMU answered in the top of the second with three runs. Brandice Olmos brought in the first run with a double to left-center, while Haley Hostetler tied the game with a bloop single into centerfield. Moments later, an errant throw on an attempt to catch Hostetler stealing went into the outfield, allowing Elaine Whitbeck to come home for a 3-2 Eagle lead.
NIU regained the lead in the bottom half of the frame. Hecht tied the game with a solo home run to left-center, while Warren made it back-to-back jacks with a solo shot of her own to nearly the same spot to make it a 4-3 Huskie advantage.
Meanwhile, pitcher Keegan Hayes (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) limited the EMU offense from there. The freshman allowed just two hits and a walk over the final five frames, including three perfect innings in the fifth, sixth and seventh.
The Huskies added another run in the bottom of the fifth. Grable reached base with two outs on a single, then Emily Naegele (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) lined a ball into centerfield that, thanks to a misplay by EMU centerfielder Jenn Lucas, turned into a triple for a 5-3 NIU edge.
Game Two: Grable Ties School Record as NIU Downs EMU, 5-2
Sophomore Kayti Grable hit two home runs and tied the single-season home run record as the Huskies defeated the Eagles, 5-2.
With her 10th and 11th homers of the year, the Santee, California, native tied Zoe Sinner (2010) for most dingers in a season by a Huskies.
"It's fun for her," Sutcliffe said of Grable's record. "Records mean something to her when it's all said and done, but in the moment, that's not what she's thinking about or even concerned about. Anytime you're setting a record for NIU, it's going to be proud moment."
NIU got out to a 1-0 lead after one. After Bryanna Phelan and Kali Kossakowski (Elgin, Ill./St. Edward) reached on an error and single, respectively, Grable brought in the first run of the game with a groundout.
The Huskies made it a two-run contest in the following frame. Jessica Sturm (Wichita, Kan./Goddard) got into scoring position with a standup triple down the right field line. Moments later, Allyson Hecht sliced a single past second base to bring home Sturm and make it 2-0 Huskies.
Grable struck again in the third, this time with a home run off the scoreboard in left field to make it 3-0. The sophomore made it two homers when she cleared the scoreboard in the fifth and pushed the Huskie lead to 4-0.
EMU avoided the shutout and cut the Huskie lead in half in the sixth. Haley Hostetler reached base on a hit by pitch, while Michelle Kriegshauser doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Lindsay Rich pushed both runners across with a triple to make it a 4-2 ballgame.
Yet, NIU got one run back in the bottom of the sixth. Sturm led off with a single, then moved to second on a throwing error and third on a wild pitch. After a pair of groundouts, Phelan got Sturm home with a single into centerfield for a 5-2 game.
The Eagles threatened to tie the game in the seventh, putting a pair of runners in scoring position. However, Alaynie Woollard (New Castle, Ind./New Castle) made a sensational play at third, snagging a sharp liner out of the air with a leaping grab to keep EMU off the board and preserve the win.
The Huskies cap off the weekend Sunday, April 26, with a Senior Day doubleheader against Central Michigan. Game one is set to start at noon.
