Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Ohio (DH)
Baseball Earns Doubleheader Split At Ohio
March 27, 2010 | Baseball
ATHENS, Ohio - The Ball State baseball team secured a winning series in its Mid-American Conference opening weekend as the Cardinals split a Saturday doubleheader against hosting Ohio at Bob Wren Stadium. The Cardinals dropped the first game of the double dip by a 4-2 margin before winning the rubber game by an impressive 4-0 shutout. The victory improves Ball State to 8-15 overall and 2-1 in MAC play while Ohio falls to 3-17 overall and 1-2 in league action.
Three Ball State pitchers combined to notch the shutout as they limited Ohio to only two hits, five total base runners and did not allow a Bobcat to advance past first base. Junior right-hander Kolbrin Vitek (Bryan, Ohio/Bryan) was dominant in the start as he tossed 7.0 shutout innings and only allowed two hits. Vitek struck out five batters and only faced 23 batters in seven innings, while tossing just 70 pitches.
Relievers Seth Hobbs (Marseilles, Ill./Seneca) and Aaron Hammons (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield Central) each added a scoreless inning to seal the victory. The shutout is BSU's first since April 18, 2007 when it blanked Ohio State 4-0. The shutout is also the first shutout of Ohio at Bob Wren Stadium since May 18, 2005 when Vanderbilt accomplished the feat.
Game One - Ohio 4, Ball State 2
Ball State dropped its first MAC game of the season in the first game of the Saturday doubleheader by a 4-2 margin. The Cardinals rallied back from an early two-run deficit to tie the game but Ohio's Gauntlett Eldemire hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning to secure the Ohio victory. Ohio struck first against sophomore right-hander Cal Bowling (Muncie, Ind./Yorktown) in the bottom of the first inning. The Bobcats strung together four straight singles to open the game and take an early 2-0 lead. Bowling was able to work out of the inning as he stranded two additional runners in scoring position with back-to-back strikeouts.
Ball State answered back in the top of the third inning against Ohio starter Brock Trimbur as it scored its first run of the game with two outs in the inning. Vitek started the rally as he drew a two out walk. Senior catcher Zach Dygert (Angola, Ind./Angola) ripped a run-scoring double into the left center field gap that plated Vitek all the way from first base to narrow the gap to 2-1.
The Cardinals tied the game in the top of the sixth inning against reliever Bryce Butt. Dygert started the inning as he reached on an infield single. He moved to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third as Ohio's catcher overthrew second base. Sophomore first baseman Ian Nielsen (La Porte, Ind./La Porte) lifted a sacrifice fly to deep center field to score Dygert and tie the game at 2-2.
Ohio retook the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning against right-handed reliever Scott Brothers Jr. (Monticello, Ind./Gulf Coast CC). Wesley O'Neil led off the inning with a single and came home to score as Eldemire hit his fourth home run of the season over the left field wall to give Ohio a 4-2 lead.
Ball State made one final stand in the top of the ninth inning as senior Kory Benbow (Muncie, Ind./Cowan) led off with a double and freshman Stephen Claypool (Dearborn, Mich./Divine Child) singled to put runners at the corners. Butt was able to work out of the jam as he struck out two straight batters and Baumet's deep fly ball was corralled down the left field line to end the game.
Brothers (1-1) was charged with the loss as he allowed two runs on two hits in 0.1 innings of work. Bowling got the no decision after lasting 4.2 innings and allowing two runs on seven hits. Butt (1-4) earned the victory in relief as he posted 5.0 innings of one-run baseball while limiting the Cardinals to four hits.
Game Two - Ball State 4, Ohio 0
Ball State tallied its series victory with a 4-0 shutout of the Bobcats in the rubber game Saturday. The Cardinals limited Ohio to a season-low two hits as Vitek was dominant on the mound and also led the Cardinals offensively with two hits.
Ball State opening the scoring in the top of the first inning as Vitek helped his own cause as he reached on a two out single to left field against Ohio starter Michael Dillon. He moved himself into scoring position with his team-leading seventh stolen base of the season. Dygert drove in the game's first run as he ripped a two-strike single through the left side to score Vitek.
The Cardinals added two more runs in the top of the third inning to chase Dillon from the game. Sophomore Mitch Widau (Richmond, Ind./Richmond) led off the inning with a single to center field. Baumet came within inches of his first home run of the season as Ohio left fielder Robert Maddox climbed the left field wall and brought the ball back but could not hang on as Baumet was credited with a double to put two in scoring position. Freshman Blake Beemer (Clayton, Ohio/Northmont) drove in Widau as he lifted a deep sacrifice fly to center field and Vitek helped his cause once again with a run-scoring single through the left side to give the Cardinals a 3-0 lead.
Ball State extended its lead to 4-0 with another run in the top of the sixth inning against Ohio reliever Rex Ingham. Dygert started things off as he drew a one out walk. Nielsen ripped a run-scoring double to right center field and Dygert beat the throw home to score the Cardinals' fourth run of the game.
Ohio tried to muster some offense in the game but only had five base runners all game long. The Cardinals nullified any threat from the Bobcats as they turned three double plays and did not allow an Ohio base runner past first base.
Vitek (1-2) worked 7.0 stellar innings on just 70 pitches as he limited the Bobcats to two hits while striking out five batters. Hobbs worked a scoreless eighth inning and Hammons added a scoreless ninth to secure the two-hit shutout.
Ball State will finally open the home portion of its 2010 schedule after 23 straight road games to open the season. The Cardinals will play host to the rival Miami RedHawks next weekend in a three-game series at Ball Diamond. First pitch Friday afternoon in the home opener is set for 3 p.m.
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