Ball State University
#3 Ohio
Baseball Eliminated From MAC Tournament By Ohio
May 21, 2009 | Baseball
Ohio struck first against sophomore right-hander Kolbrin Vitek (Bryan, Ohio/Bryan) in the top of the first inning as it took advantage of a Cardinals' leadoff error that lead to two unearned runs. The Bobcats opened the game with second and third and nobody out but Vitek was able to limit the damage just to two runs as Ohio took an early 2-0 lead.
Ball State struck back in the bottom of the third inning against Ohio right-hander Bryce Butt. Freshman third baseman Tim Issler (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Xavier) led the inning off with a single to center field and junior center fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker (Selma, Ind./Wapahani) drew his MAC-leading 48th walk of the year to put two aboard. Butt uncorked a wild pitch that moved both runners into scoring position. Vitek helped his own cause as he ripped the first pitch he saw off of the wall in right center field for a two-run double to tie the game at 2-2.
The Cardinals took their first lead of the afternoon in the bottom of the fourth inning as junior left fielder Ryan Chenoweth (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) reached on a one out walk. After Chenoweth stole second, he attempted to steal third only to see Butt's pickoff attempt sail over the third baseman's head and into left field allowing him to score the go ahead run.
Ball State allowed Ohio to come back and tie the game in the top of the fifth inning as the Cardinals committed two errors that allowed the tying run to score. Ohio retook the lead in the top of the sixth inning as Chris Klimko reached on two-base error by Chenoweth. Jeremie Rehak followed with a two-run home run down the right field line to put the Bobcats in front 5-3.
The Cardinals chipped away at the deficit with a single run in the bottom of the sixth inning to narrow the gap to 5-4. Chenoweth led off the inning with a single and moved to second as sophomore shortstop T.J. Baumet (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) reached on an error on a sacrifice bunt. After a wild pitch moved Chenoweth to third, senior second baseman Nate Fields (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson) picked up an RBI as he reached on a fielder's choice allowing Chenoweth to score.
Ohio came out in the top of the seventh inning and added a little breathing room as it scored three runs and chased Vitek from the game. The Bobcats tallied four hits in the inning to take an 8-4 lead with Marc Kraus and Klimko each picking up RBI hits.
Ball State continued to battle as it cut the deficit to 8-5 as junior catcher Zach Dygert (Angola, Ind./Angola) led off the bottom of the seventh inning with his ninth home run of the season off of the scoreboard in left field. The Bobcats answered back with a home run of their own in the top of the eighth inning as Gauntlett Eldemire hit a two-run home run to put Ohio up 10-5.
Vitek (4-3) lasted 6.0 innings and allowed seven runs, but only two of the runs were earned as he limited the Bobcats to just five hits. He struck out five batters and did not walk anyone on the afternoon. Butt (6-6) worked 5.0 innings and was charged with three runs on 10 Ball State hits while striking out two batters.
Vitek also was strong at the plate as he finished with two hits and three RBI in the loss. Issler added three hits from the number nine hole while Chenoweth was two-for-two and reached base three times. Johnston paced Ohio as he tallied five hits, drove in four runs and scored three runs.
Ball State finishes the 2009 season with a 26-25 overall record after claiming the MAC West Division championship for the seventh time in program history.
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