Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Michigan
Slow Start Dooms Baseball Tuesday Against No. 19 Michigan
May 07, 2008 | Baseball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Michigan jumped on the Ball State baseball team early in Tuesday's game at Ball Diamond, and the Big Ten-leading Wolverines never trailed in a 15-8 victory.
Ball State third baseman Matt Stoeklen led the Cardinals with three hits (two doubles and a home run) to go along with three RBI. Right fielder Mark Isenberg, who entered the game in the sixth inning as a pinch hitter, collected two hits and scored two runs for the Cardinals.
Tuesday's game had been scheduled to take place Wednesday in Ann Arbor, Mich., but rain in the forecast forced the game to be moved up one day. The game was then moved from Ann Arbor to Muncie because the Michigan softball team was hosting Team USA on Tuesday, and the Michigan campus was unable to hold both events.
Once in Muncie, Michigan started quickly, scoring four runs in the first inning, highlighted by a three-run homer off the bat of left fielder Derek VanBuskirk.
The Wolverines -- ranked 19th in the country -- then tacked on five runs in the third as they built a 9-0 advantage. First baseman Mike Dufek added a three-run shot of his own, and outfielder Ryan LaMarre tacked on a two-run blast as Michigan opened up a commanding lead.
Ball State (26-18) managed to pick up its offense starting in the fourth inning. The Cardinals scored in every inning from the fourth through the eighth but could not gain much ground.
Stoeklen brought home Ball State's first two runs with a double in the fourth inning. After a single run in the fifth, Ball State managed three more in the sixth. Stoeklen homered to lead off the inning. The Cardinals then plated runs on a bases-loaded walk and a ground ball double play that scored a runner from third.
The Cardinals then tacked on a run apiece in the seventh and eighth innings on an RBI single from shortstop T.J. Baumet and an RBI ground out from designated hitter Joe Mack.
Unfortunately for Ball State, Michigan (35-11) plated runs in three of those five innings, as well. The Wolverines scored three runs in the fifth, two in the sixth and one in the seventh. The final seven-run margin was as close as the Cardinals could get.
LaMarre led Michigan offensively with three hits and three RBI. Dufek posted a game-high four RBI for the Wolverines.
It was a staff day on the mound for both teams. Ball State used nine pitchers in the game, while Michigan sent six pitchers to the mound. Michigan starter Kolby Wood earned the win.
Ball State now has two days off before returning to Mid-American Conference play this weekend against Northern Illinois. The Cardinals open their final home series of the season Friday against the Huskies with a 3 p.m. first pitch.
