Ball State University
Presbyterian College
Fields, Dygert Log Four RBI As Baseball Earns 13-2 Win
March 16, 2008 | Baseball
CONWAY, S.C. -- The Ball State baseball team closed its weekend with a 13-2 victory Sunday over Presbyterian College on the final day of the Centex Homes Invitational at Coastal Carolina.
Designated hitter Nate Fields led the Cardinals with three hits and four RBI. Catcher Zach Dygert also logged four RBI in the game to go along with two hits.
Ball State starter Kolbrin Vitek earned the win to improve his record to 3-0. The Cardinals have won all four games Vitek has started this year. The freshman right-hander struck out seven batters in five innings. Both runs he allowed were unearned.
Ball State put up five runs in the second inning and never looked back. First baseman Matt Stoeklen and left fielder Kory Benbow drew back-to-back walks to lead off the inning. Stoeklen then stole third and scored on an RBI groundout from Fields. Benbow advanced to second on the groundout and came home to score on an RBI single from Dygert. Following a double from second baseman Jeremy Hazelbaker and a walk by third baseman T.J. Baumet, shortstop Dean Anna drew a bases-loaded walk to plate the third run of the inning. Center fielder Wayne Bond Jr. then singled to left field to bring home two more runs.
The Cardinals scored again in the third inning on a two-run homer from Dygert, who closed his weekend with homers in back-to-back games. They then added three more runs in the fifth when Dygert drew a bases-loaded walk and Hazelbaker doubled to right field to score two. Ball State tacked on three final runs in the top of the ninth inning on a three-run homer from Fields.
Presbyterian scored both of its runs on Ball State errors. The Blue Hose plated one unearned run in the second inning and another in the third inning.
Vitek left the game after five innings, and the Ball State bullpen continued to shut down the Presbyterian bats. Relievers Heath Riley, Eric Van Matre, Aaron Hammons and Kyle Heyne each pitched scoreless innings. The group combined to allow just one hit over the final four innings.
Presbyterian designated hitter Nate Horton led the Blue Hose with two hits on the day.
With the win, Ball State wrapped up its spring break trip with an even split of eight games. The Cardinals bookended the trip with wins against Long Island and Presbyterian and also swept a two-game set at Charleston Southern. The four losses all came at the hands of ranked teams -- three to No. 20 Coastal Carolina and one to No. 25 Michigan.
Ball State is scheduled to return to action with its home opener Tuesday against Anderson. The game is slated for 3 p.m. at Ball Diamond.
