Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Northern Illinois (No. 4 seed)
Baseball Closes Season With MAC Tournament Loss To NIU
May 23, 2008 | Baseball
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio -- The Ball State baseball team was eliminated from the Mid-American Conference Tournament Friday with a heart-breaking 6-5 loss to Northern Illinois.
The fifth-seeded Cardinals led the fourth-seeded Huskies 5-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth, but Northern Illinois rallied for three runs in the final frame to earn the come-from-behind win.
Ball State's season comes to an end with a record of 28-25. Northern Illinois (29-24) advanced to meet top-seeded Kent State Friday night.
Ball State catcher Zach Dygert, designated hitter Kolbrin Vitek and third baseman Matt Stoeklen recorded two hits each to lead the Cardinals offensively. Ball State hit two home runs in the game to bring their season total to 95, matching the single-season school record. The Cardinals homered nine times in their three tournament games.
In Friday's contest, the Cardinals took a two-run lead into the bottom of the ninth, but Northern Illinois quickly started a rally. Left fielder Anthony Maziur led off the inning by reaching on an error. After an out, shortstop Bobby Stevens singled to put two runners on. Third baseman Jordin Hood then followed with a two-RBI double to tie the game 5-5. Hood later advanced to third base on a ground out and then came home to score on a game-ending RBI single from right fielder Danny Reed.
That final play gave Northern Illinois its only lead of the day. Ball State scored first, and the Cardinals either led or were tied until the final run.
After three scoreless innings to open the game, both teams found the scoreboard with a pair of runs in the fourth frame.
Ball State opened the fourth with a leadoff double from Dygert. Vitek then followed with a two-run homer to put the Cardinals on top 2-0. Northern Illinois quickly matched the Cardinals with a pair of runs on an RBI double from catcher Matt Behren and a run-scoring single from second baseman Joe Buonavolanto, tying the score 2-2.
Ball State grabbed the lead again with a two-out rally to score one run in the sixth inning. The Cardinals put runners on the corners. Center fielder Wayne Bond Jr. then broke from first base and intentionally got caught in a rundown, allowing shortstop Dean Anna to score from third.
As quickly as Ball State had taken the lead, however, Northern Illinois tied it up again. Huskie first baseman Dave Reynolds led off the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run to knot the game at 3-3.
Ball State left fielder Nate Fields, though, answered back for the Cardinals in the eighth inning with a solo shot of his own. With one out, Fields took a pitch deep over the right field fence for his ninth home run of the season.
After Fields' home run, Ball State tacked on another run on an RBI single from Anna to extend its lead to 5-3 before the Northern Illinois comeback.
Northern Illinois reliever Andy Deain earned the win after pitching the final 1.2 innings out of the bullpen. Huskie starter Matt Jernstad took a no-decision after allowing five runs in 7.1 innings. Jernstad struck out 13 Ball State batters.
Cardinal starter Brad Piatt turned in a solid performance but earned a no-decision, as well. Piatt allowed just two earned runs in five innings. Ball State then used four relievers over the final four innings.
