Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Central Michigan
Central Michigan Scores Late To Hand Baseball 5-4 Loss
April 20, 2008 | Baseball
MT. PLEASANT, Mich. -- The Ball State baseball team lost a hard-fought series finale Sunday at Central Michigan. The Chippewas scored a ninth-inning run to break a tie and escape with a 5-4 win.
After a pair of one-out singles put runners on first and second for Central Michigan, left fielder Matt Faiman came to plate and hit a chopper up the middle. The ball got away from the Ball State defense and allowed the Chippewas' Brendan Emmett to score from second base, giving the Central Michigan the win.
The final run ruined a Ball State comeback that saw the Cardinals overcome an early 4-1 deficit to tie the game in the seventh inning.
Central Michigan (19-18, 8-6 MAC) found the scoreboard first in the opening inning. A pair of RBI singles from first baseman Sean Hoorelbeke and Emmett gave the Chippewas an early 2-0 lead. Central Michigan also scored two runs in the second inning on a two-RBI double from right fielder Tyler Stovall.
Ball State (21-14, 7-5 MAC) managed a run of its own in the second inning and trailed 4-1 after two. Catcher Zach Dygert scored the Cardinal run, coming home to score from third base when second baseman Nate Fields was caught in a rundown between first and second.
Ball State then picked up one run in the fifth. Shortstop Dean Anna plated a run on an RBI single to cut the Central Michigan lead to 4-2. In both the second and fifth innings, however, Ball State loaded the bases with one out but managed only one run.
The Cardinals eventually broke through for two runs in the seventh inning to tie the game 4-4. Third baseman T.J. Baumet singled and came home to score on a two-out double from Wayne Bond Jr. Designated hitter Justin Rogers then stepped to the plate and lined a single to score Bond and tie the game.
After a scoreless eighth inning, Ball State threatened to take the lead in the top of the ninth. The Cardinals loaded the bases with two outs but were unable to score the go-ahead run.
Eight different Cardinals recorded a hit in the loss, while Emmett led Central Michigan with three hits.
Ball State starting pitcher Kolbrin Vitek settled in after allowing four runs through the first two innings. Vitek shut the Chippewas out over the next three innings to finish his outing with four runs allowed and five strikeouts in five innings.
Cardinal relief pitchers Tom Mueller, Heath Riley and Kyle Heyne combined to throw the last 3.1 innings without allowing a run until the game-winner.
Ball State returns to action Tuesday at Ball Diamond with a 3 p.m. home game against Xavier. The Cardinals then hit the road Wednesday for another non-conference contest at Purdue.
