Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Dayton
Bullpen Strong In Baseball's 4-2 Win Over Dayton
April 02, 2008 | Baseball
By Ryne Hillenberg
ballstatesports.com
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Ball State baseball team used a two-run seventh inning to take the lead and hold on for a 4-2 win over Dayton Wednesday afternoon at Ball Diamond. Aaron Hammons earned the win for Ball State (14-9), while Lucas Farden took the loss for the Flyers (14-11).
After Ball State scored one run on an RBI ground out from first baseman Justin Rogers in the first inning, the Flyers countered with two runs of their own to take a 2-1 lead in the top of the second.
Ball State tied the game with a run by second baseman Jeremy Hazelbaker in the fourth inning. Hazelbaker reached second base on an error and advanced to third on a single by designated hitter Kolbrin Vitek. He then came home to score on a sacrifice fly from shortstop Dean Anna.
"I feel good that we were able to get four doubles and some base hits," Ball State coach Greg Beals said. "But I feel like the elements of the day affected our confidence a little, and I felt like we were taking too many pitches.
The biggest story of the day for Ball State was the effectiveness of the Cardinals' bullpen, which allowed zero runs over the game's final seven innings.
"I feel really good about how we pitched the ball today," Beals said. "I thought our pitchers threw a lot of strikes. We've leaned on our bullpen all year long, and part of having a strong bullpen is using them, and we do use them.
Ball State would score again in the bottom of the seventh when the bats heated up as Anna hit a double to left field on the first pitch. Center fielder Wayne Bond Jr. then hit a single before stealing second, setting up Rogers who ripped a two-run single to put the Cardinals ahead for good.
"We've talked a lot about players getting hits when they count," Beals said. "Justin is our three-hole hitter. Your best guys have to come through in big moments like that, and he did a good job."
Rogers led Ball State offensively with a pair of hits and three RBI. Anna also logged two hits for the Cardinals. Dayton center fielder Kevin Miller was the Flyers' top offensive performer with two hits and an RBI.
The Cardinals used seven pitchers to spread around the work in the midweek contest. Adam Quinn, Brenden Stines, Brad Piatt, Hammons, Heath Riley and Kyle Heyne all pitched scoreless innings for Ball State.
Heyne picked up the save after throwing a perfect ninth inning. It was the third save in four games for the fifth-year senior closer.
The Cardinals have now won six games in a row and seven of their last eight before heading into the weekend Mid-American Conference series with Buffalo.
"It's nice to have a win streak, but it's better to have a streak and know you can still play better," Beals said. "We still have things we have to work on, and we can still improve."
