Ball State University
Southern Illinois
Baseball Tops Southern Illinois, 10-5
March 11, 2009 | Baseball
Sophomore third baseman Kolbrin Vitek (Bryan, Ohio/Bryan) drove in three runs in the victory as he tallied two hits including his fourth home run of the season. Junior center fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker (Selma, Ind./Wapahani) and senior second baseman Nate Fields (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson) each recorded three hits in the victory and scored three runs apiece as they set the table at the top of the lineup.
Ball State (6-5) started quickly against Southern Illinois starter Brad Lawrence as it plated three runs in the top of the first inning. The Cardinals loaded the bases after one out for junior left fielder Kory Benbow (Muncie, Ind./Cowan). Benbow followed with a two-run single to put BSU on the board and freshman first baseman Ian Nielsen (La Porte, Ind./La Porte) doubled in the Cardinals' third run of the inning as BSU took a 3-0 lead.
Southern Illinois (4-10) answered back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning against BSU starter Justin Warrington (Granville, Ohio/Watkins Memorial). The Salukis put the first three batters on base but Warrington limited the damages to just two runs as he picked up a crucial double play.
Ball State added its fourth run in the top of the second inning to chase Lawrence from the game as Hazelbaker and Fields led off the inning with singles. After a ground ball moved the runners into scoring position, junior catcher Zach Dygert (Angola, Ind./Angola) lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to put the Cardinals ahead 4-2.
The Cardinals extended their lead to four runs with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning as Hazelbaker and Fields once again started things off with back-to-back singles. After a double steal, Dygert ripped a single to left field to plate both runners.
Southern Illinois added a run in the bottom of the fourth inning and another in the fifth inning to pull within two. The Salukis were threatening in the fifth to tie the game with runners at second and third with one out, but Bowling entered the game and quickly got out of the inning with a pop up and a strike out to keep the Cardinals in the lead.
Ball State picked up a run in the seventh inning as singled to lead off the inning and came home as freshman designated hitter Nathan Koontz (Indianapolis, Ind./Brebeuf) doubled down the left field line for his first career RBI. The Cardinals tacked on two more runs in the eighth inning as Vitek powered a two-run home run over the left field wall to put BSU ahead 10-4.
Bowling (1-0) tallied the win in relief of Warrington who worked 4.1 innings as he allowed four runs on eight hits. Junior right-hander Scott Brothers Jr. (Monticello, Ind./Florida Gulf Coast) worked the ninth inning an allowed one run. Lawrence (0-1) was charged in the loss as he allowed four runs in 2.0 innings.
Ball State will wrap up the two-game midweek series Wednesday afternoon as the Cardinals and Salukis battle at 2 p.m.
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