Ball State Softball Splits Weekend Series with Central Michigan

Cardinals win finale 7-1 after dropping first two games against Chippewas

Mar. 22, 2026 at 8:06pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Ball State Cardinals softball team went 1-2 in their weekend series against the Central Michigan Chippewas, winning the final game 7-1 after dropping the first two contests 5-6 (10 innings) and 3-4. Despite the tough start to Mid-American Conference (MAC) play, head coach Helen Peña remains optimistic about the team's pitching and approach at the plate.

Why it matters

The Cardinals' weekend performance against a conference rival provides insight into the team's strengths and areas for improvement as they look to build momentum in MAC play. Ball State's ability to bounce back from a tough opening series against Akron shows the team's resilience, while the close losses highlight the need to minimize mistakes and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

The details

In the series opener, Ball State worked its way back from a four-run deficit to tie the game in the top of the seventh inning, only to fall 5-6 in 10 innings on a walk-off by Central Michigan. The Cardinals then dropped the second game 3-4 before rebounding with a 7-1 victory in the finale, led by a strong pitching performance from senior Ella Whitney.

  • The Cardinals opened MAC play on March 13, going 0-3 against the Akron Zips.
  • The weekend series against Central Michigan took place on March 20-22.
  • Ball State will host Butler on March 24 before traveling to Toledo on March 27.

The players

Helen Peña

Head coach of the Ball State Cardinals softball team.

Ella Whitney

Senior pitcher for the Ball State Cardinals, currently 5-2 on the mound this season.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The message to the team was that we get to choose how we view those outcomes, and how we let it shape us as we move forward. They can either build us or break us. We can lean into our processes and culture more, or we can go the opposite direction, but only one way will help us grow and continue to build.”

— Helen Peña, Head Coach

“We are putting ourselves in very good positions to win. Our last three games that we've lost have been one run games. I'm looking forward to the pitching staff to build on some good performances this weekend and keep attacking batters and minimizing the free bases. Offensively, continuing to challenge them and working out mental tools to not make any one moment bigger than another.”

— Helen Peña, Head Coach

What’s next

Ball State will host in-state rival Butler on March 24 before traveling to Toledo on March 27 for a conference matchup against a team they went 2-1 against last season.

The takeaway

Despite a tough start to MAC play, the Ball State softball team showed resilience by bouncing back to win the final game of their weekend series against Central Michigan. With a focus on minimizing mistakes and building on strong pitching performances, the Cardinals look to carry this momentum into their upcoming games against Butler and Toledo.