Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Xavier
Baseball Pounds Out 20 Hits in 14-4 Win Over Xavier
April 22, 2008 | Baseball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Ball State baseball team got its bats back on track Tuesday in a 14-4 non-conference win over Xavier at Ball Diamond.
After a quiet weekend offensively at Central Michigan, the Cardinals ripped of 20 hits as a team Tuesday and scored in every inning but one.
Third baseman Matt Stoeklen busted out of his slump to lead the Ball State attack with a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate. Eight other Cardinals recorded a hit in the contest.
Stoeklen walked in his first at bat and then hit safely in each of his final four trips to the plate. The senior singled in the third inning, ripped a two-RBI double in the fifth and tacked on an RBI single in the sixth. He then put an exclamation mark on his day at the plate with a solo home run in the eighth inning.
Stoeklen's four RBI were a game-high, while first baseman Justin Rogers also tallied a pair of RBI. Shortstop Dean Anna matched Stoeklen with four hits on the day, including two triples and a double. Catcher Alex Schmid and left fielder Nate Fields were close behind Stoeklen with three hits each.
With his two triples, Anna improved his team-leading total to six for the season, two shy of the Ball State single-season record.
Ball State starter Brenden Stines earned his third win of the season on the mound. The junior right-hander allowed three runs -- two earned -- in five innings before handing the ball over to the bullpen.
Relievers Adam Quinn, Tyler Pritchard and Tom Mueller combined to allow just one run over the final four frames to secure the win. Mueller sent Xavier down in order in the ninth inning to end the game.
The Cardinals used a three-run first inning to take control early. Following a leadoff triple from Anna, Ball State managed RBI singles from center fielder Wayne Bond Jr., catcher Zach Dygert and designated hitter Kolbrin Vitek.
Ball State then tacked on one run apiece in the second and third innings and led 5-1 through three frames.
Xavier managed a run in the fourth inning and another in the fifth to cut the Ball State lead to 5-3, but the Cardinals quickly responded with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to regain complete control. Stoeklen's two-RBI double highlighted the inning, while Anna brought another run home with his second triple of the game.
Another three-run inning in the sixth gave the Cardinals a commanding 11-3 lead. Ball State then added three more runs over the final three innings to cruise to the victory.
With the win, Ball State improves to 22-14 on the season, while Xavier falls to 16-22.
The Cardinals return to action with another non-conference contest Wednesday at Purdue. The first pitch is slated for 4 p.m.
