Ball State University
Akron
Defense And Pitching Leads Baseball To Series Victory
March 22, 2009 | Baseball
The Cardinals' pitching staff turned in a strong performance in the series finale led by sophomore right-hander Kolbrin Vitek (Bryan, Ohio/Bryan). Vitek improved to 2-1 on the season as he worked six innings of five-hit baseball as he allowed just one unearned run. He struck out eight batters while only walking one and he has now tallied 15 strikeouts in his past two starts.
Ball State's bullpen comprised of right-hander Scott Brothers Jr. (Monticello, Ind./Gulf Coast CC), left-hander Tom Mueller (Westfield, Ind./Westfield) and right-hander Morgan Coombs (West Terre Haute, Ind./Lincoln Trail) combined to worked 3.0 innings of scoreless relief as they allowed just two hits. The Cardinals' defense also turned in a strong afternoon, including a couple of stellar plays by senior second baseman Nate Fields (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson).
Ball State struck first in the bottom of the second inning against Akron right-hander Benjamin Danziger. The Cardinals quickly loaded the bases on consecutive singles from junior left fielder Kory Benbow (Muncie, Ind./Cowan), freshman first baseman Ian Nielsen (La Porte, Ind./La Porte) and junior right fielder Ryan Chenoweth (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead).
Ball State was able to plate its first run of the day as sophomore shortstop T.J. Baumet (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) reached on a fielder's choice to score Benbow. After the second out of the inning, junior center fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker (Selma, Ind./Wapahani) ripped a run scoring single through the left side to bring Chenoweth home to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead.
Akron answered right back in the top of the third inning as the Zips took advantage of a BSU error to plate an unearned run. Akron shortstop Kevin Haas led off the inning with a single and advanced to third on a two-base throwing error by Vitek on a pick-off attempt. Haas was able to come home on a ground out to narrow the BSU lead to 2-1.
The Cardinals extended their lead to 4-1 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning as they capitalized on an Akron error. Freshman third baseman Tim Issler (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Xavier) reached base with two outs on an Akron error to start things off. Hazelbaker drove Issler in as he doubled down the left field line for his second opposite field hit of the afternoon. Fields put the Cardinals ahead by three as he ripped a run-scoring double into left center field.
Ball State added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh inning as Vitek reached on an infield single. He moved to second base on a wild pitch by Akron reliever Scott Foster and stole third base with two outs. Forster looked like he had gotten out of the inning as he induced a ground ball by Benbow but the Akron second baseman threw wide of the bag to allow Vitek to score BSU's fifth run of the day.
Ball State will return to action Wednesday afternoon as it travels to Terre Haute, Ind., for a midweek contest against Indiana State. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
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