Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Notre Dame
Baseball Falls At Notre Dame, Preps For Home Opener Wednesday
March 26, 2008 | Baseball
NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- In blustery conditions Tuesday at Frank Eck Stadium, Notre Dame handed the Ball State baseball team a 6-4 loss in the Cardinals' first game in more than a week.
Ball State was finally back in action after an eight-day layoff. The Cardinals had been scheduled to play five games during that stretch, but all five were wiped out by either rain or snow.
In Tuesday's loss, Ball State mounted a late, two-out rally in the top of the ninth inning. Trailing 6-2, the Cardinals loaded the bases on a single from designated hitter Kolbrin Vitek, another single from left fielder Nate Fields and a walk by catcher Zach Dygert. Second baseman Jeremy Hazelbaker then singled to center field to score two runs and bring the go-ahead run to the plate. The rally came up short, though, as Notre Dame pitcher Kyle Weiland induced a fly ball out to secure the Irish win.
Hazelbaker led Ball State offensively with two hits and two RBI. Shortstop Dean Anna also logged a pair of hits for the Cardinals.
The game was back-and-forth early on. After a scoreless opening two innings, the teams traded the lead over the next two.
Ball State (8-9) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Third baseman T.J. Baumet reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to third on a single from center fielder Wayne Bond. Jr. Bond then stole second base, and Baumet came home to score on the catcher's throw.
Notre Dame (11-7-1) responded with a run in the bottom of the third to tie the game 1-1. Shortstop Brett Lilley walked and stole second base. He then came home to score on a two-out RBI single from center fielder A.J. Pollock.
As quickly as Notre Dame had tied the game, however, Ball State regained the lead with a run in the top of the fourth. First baseman Matt Stoeklen led off with a double, advanced to third base on a Vitek groundout and came home on a sacrifice fly from Fields.
Notre Dame then grabbed the lead for good with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Irish loaded the bases with no outs and scored their runs on an RBI groundout from right fielder Billy Boockford and a sacrifice fly from third baseman Mick Doyle. Ball State eluded more damage when Fields made a diving snag on a looper in left center field to end the inning.
Over the next two innings, the Irish extended their lead. In the fifth inning, Notre Dame scored on a two-out, solo home run from first baseman Evan Sharpley. The opposite field blast pushed the Notre Dame lead to 4-2. Notre Dame picked up two more runs in the sixth on a solo home run from Boockford and a sacrifice fly from designated hitter David Mills, extending the lead to 6-2.
Ball State used four pitchers in the game as the Cardinals tried to get some work for a pitching staff that had not seen live game action since March 16. Brenden Stines started on the mound and allowed one run in three innings of work. Tyler Pritchard, Brad Piatt and Heath Riley combined to throw the final five innings. Riley held Notre Dame without a run over the last two.
Notre Dame's Brian Dupra earned the win on the mound, allowing two runs over six innings. Boockford led the Irish at the plate with a pair of hits and RBI.
Ball State returns to action Wednesday with its home opener at Ball Diamond. The Cardinals will host Anderson with a 3 p.m. first pitch.
