Less than 24 hours after the University of Notre Dame pitchers no-hit the Ball State University softball team, the Cardinals' pitchers put on a show of their own.
Ball State (17-26, 6-6 Mid-American Conference) swept a doubleheader against Wright State University (16-23, 3-4 Horizon League) Thursday, as they took the first game 8-0 and the second 2-1. The opener was called after five innings because of a mercy rule.
Junior Amanda Pick, sophomore Laura Masch and freshman Elizabeth Milian pitched 12 innings and allowed no earned runs in the two games.
"Our pitching was very, very good today," coach Craig Nicholson said. "Pick kind of set the tone and had a great first game."
Pick started, pitching five innings with six strikeouts. She gave up four hits and two walks.
Masch returned to the field and started the second game after not playing since March 14 against Jacksonville University. In three innings of work, she allowed two hits, a walk and struck out three.
"It was exciting," Masch said. "I've been ready to go. It was great to finally be back out there in the game."
Masch was out for about two and half weeks due to a pulled muscle in her neck, Nicholson said. She was ready to pitch a couple of weeks ago but the team was waiting for a good opportunity to work her back into the rotation, he said.
Masch began the game walking the Raiders' leadoff hitter. She also had a wild pitch in the first inning on the mound. She then gave up a single in the second and third to complete her day.
"We kind of felt like we didn't want to extend her too far," Nicholson said. "Her ball was moving pretty good; I think she missed location a few times. She gave up some hard hits and we made some good plays defensively, but that's kind of to be expected after not pitching for a month in a game situation."
Some of Masch's defensive help came from sophomore Allie Pennock. The right fielder made an over-the-shoulder grab in the second to record the first out of the inning.
"That was awesome," Masch said. "I'm so happy for her. That was an awesome catch. The wind is crazy out here."
After Masch exited the scoreless game, Milian took over on the mound and picked up the win. She struck out one and walked one in her four innings of work.
Milian was perfect in her first 3.1 innings before she gave up a walk. An error by freshman Alisha Etzler at second with two outs prolonged the seventh inning. Wright State was able to push across an unearned run before the Cardinals recorded the final out.
Overall, the three Ball State pitchers gave up seven hits, four walks, struck out 10 and gave up no earned runs.
"I think all three of them threw the ball pretty much as good as they are going to throw it," Nicholson said.
Ball State had 13 hits, seven runs batted in and five stolen bases in the two games.
"I would [rate the team's play as] nine out of 10, because nobody is perfect," Pick said.
The Cardinals return to action with a doubleheader at IPFW (5-18, 1-0 Mid-Continent Conference) today. They continue conference play Saturday and Sunday as they host Miami University (18-31-1, 6-6 MAC).
Thursday's wins will give the Cardinals momentum as they head into the weekend, Pick said. Ball State is currently third in the MAC West standings, while Miami is fifth in the MAC East.
"Hopefully we can play as well as we did today and if we do that, I think we get two wins out of [today]," Nicholson said.
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