Ball State University
Indiana
Defense Strong In Baseball's 5-2 Win At Indiana
April 16, 2008 | Baseball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Ball State baseball team earned a 5-2 win on the road Wednesday against in-state rival Indiana.
The Cardinals' pitching staff shut out the Hoosiers over the final seven innings, while the Ball State defense turned in a strong performance with a school record five double plays and no errors.
Catcher Zach Dygert led Ball State at the plate with a pair of hits, including a home run, and five different Cardinals recorded one RBI apiece.
Ball State (21-11) wasted no time getting started Wednesday. Shortstop Dean Anna sent the game's first pitch high over the left center field fence to give Ball State an early 1-0 lead. Anna -- who hit three homers Tuesday against Indiana State -- raised his team-leading total to nine for the season.
Indiana (15-18) responded with two runs in the second inning on an RBI single from third baseman Ethan Wilson and a hit batter with the bases loaded. The Hoosiers threatened for more, but Ball State starter Brenden Stines pitched out of jam to limit the damage. After the two runs scored, Indiana still had the bases loaded with no outs, but Stines retired the next three batters to end the threat.
The Cardinals grabbed the lead back with a two-out rally in the fourth inning. Dygert started the scoring with a solo home run. Third baseman T.J. Baumet then reached on a double and scored on an RBI single from center fielder Wayne Bond Jr., giving the Cardinals a 3-2 lead.
Ball State added to its lead with two more runs in the fifth inning. Designated hitter Kolbrin Vitek led off the inning with a triple and scored on an RBI ground ball from right fielder Ryan Chenoweth. Baumet later added a sacrifice fly as the Cardinals opened up a 5-2 lead.
Stines earned the win on the mound after allowing two runs on five hits in five innings. Relievers Eric Van Matre, Heath Riley and Kyle Heyne combined to pitch the final four scoreless innings. Heyne pitched the ninth inning to earn his seventh save of the season.
Indiana threatened to close the gap in the eighth inning when they loaded the bases with one out. But Baumet made a nice play on a sharpley hit ball by Indiana's Wilson, and the Cardinals turned a double play to end the inning. The Cardinals' fifth double play of the game then ended the game in the ninth.
Indiana first baseman Jerrud Sabourin led the Hoosiers at the plate with a pair of hits. Indiana starter Matt Carr took the loss after allowing three runs in 3.2 innings.
Ball State returns to conference play this weekend with a three-game MAC series at Central Michigan. Game one is slated for a 3 p.m. first pitch on Friday.
