Ball State University
Coastal Carolina
Cardinals Shut Out Saturday At No. 17 Coastal Carolina
March 10, 2007 | Baseball
CONWAY, S.C. - Playing its third ranked opponent of the season Saturday at the Myrtle Beach Hyundai Isuzu Classic, the Ball State baseball team gave itself chances but could not capitalize with any runs.
The Cardinals (3-9) out-hit No. 17 Coastal Carolina (13-3) but wound up on the short end of a 5-0 decision at Watson Stadium, the home of the host Chanticleers.
Seven Cardinals hit safely in the game, including two hits each from first baseman Matt Stoeklen and right fielder Kory Benbow, as Ball State pounded out nine hits to Coastal Carolina's seven.
The game seemed to turn Coastal Carolina's way in the fifth inning. The Chanticleers took a 1-0 lead into the inning, but both teams had opportunitites to put runs on the board. After Ball State could not take advantage of its chance in the top of the inning, Coastal Carolina took full advantage in the bottom half.
In the top half, back-to-back singles from Benbow and Zach Dygert put runners at first and third with one out. Coastal Carolina starter Bobby Gagg, however, struck out the next batter, and then the Cardinals were thrown out trying to take home on a double steal to end the threat.
With the momentum of keeping Ball State off the scoreboard under its belt, Coastal Carolina padded its lead in the bottom of the inning. Ball State aided the Chanticleers with an error, a wild pitch and a passed ball as Coastal Carolina put up three runs. Center fielder Dom Duggan provided the only RBI of the inning on a run-scoring single up the middle that gave Coastal Carolina a 4-0 lead.
Ball State starting pitcher Tyler Pritchard left after five innings, having allowed four runs but only two earned. Gagg went seven innings for Coastal Carolina, striking out six and allowing seven hits but no runs.
The Cardinals gave themselves more opportunities in the seventh and eighth innings as they loaded the bases in both, but again they were unable to push any runs across. The Cardinals left a total of 11 runners on base in the game.
Coastal Carolina added an extra run in the eighth inning on a Tyler Bortnick sacrifice fly.
Right fielder Tommy Baldridge led Coastal Carolina with four hits in four at bats, and left fielder David Sappelt added two hits. Second baseman Adam Vrable had the Chanticleers only other hit of the day.
Ball State wraps up the tournament Sunday against Bethune-Cookman with an 11 a.m. first pitch. Follow the game online with live stats at the Coastal Carolina Athletics Web site: www.goccusports.com/?DB_OEM_ID=14200&tournament=18
