The softball team let two games slip from reach Saturday against Central Michigan. Ball State recovered by handing the Chippewas their first Mid-American Conference loss on Sunday, 5-1.
The Cardinals (15-29, 2-8 MAC) knocked out 11 hits in their victory over the defending MAC champs.
BSU loaded the bases in the third inning following hits by Alyssa Hufffman and Courtney Patteson. Amanda Pick then hit an RBI single to left field, scoring Huffman.
Katie Pilger led off the fourth inning with a homer to center field. It was the second lead-off homer of the three-game series for Pilger. Taylor Yancey singled up the middle and later scored on a single by Patteson.
The Cards added two more insurance runs in the seventh inning. Central managed to score its lone run in the bottom of the inning.
"It was a great team win," coach Terri Laux said. "With the number of people stepping up, we outplayed Central Michigan all three games."
Amy Brownfield allowed just seven hits and struck out four, improving her record to 6-7.
"Amy just pitched a phenomenal game," Laux said.
The Cardinals held a lead in both games of a doubleheader on Saturday, but CMU rallied to win both games.
Laux said she was disappointed that her team couldn't hold off the Chippewas.
"Especially the first one," she said, "being up and we had chances to score more runs."
Pilger led off the seventh inning with a home run to tie the score at 1-1 in game one. The Cards took the lead in the top of the eighth when Abby Gross singled in Sarah McGregor. Central answered by hitting two singles followed by a two-out double to win the game, 3-2.
Ball State stranded eight runners, three in scoring position. Brownfield took the loss, while striking out three.
"I told them after the first game, 'we played hard and fought the whole way,"' Laux said.
The Cardinals jumped out to an early lead in the first inning of the second game. Amanda Pick hit a triple to score Patteson. Pick then scored on a single by McGregor, giving BSU a 2-0 lead.
The Chippewas responded by scoring four runs in the fourth inning and never looked back on their way to an 8-3 win.
Randi Freese made her first start in over a month, but took the loss in her four innings of work.
Laux said she was pleased with the team's effort and consistency over the three-game series. e know what kind of level we can play at. As long as we stay consistent, we can have success."
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