Baseball Falls Late To Purdue, 8-5

Tuesday, April 12

Muncie, Ind.

4 p.m.

Ball State University

7-23

Purdue

21-11

Purdue

Ball State

April 12, 2011 | Baseball

Box Score

By: Ball State Athletics

MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State baseball team was one out away from notching a victory over Big Ten foe Purdue Tuesday afternoon but the Boilermakers scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning to take home an 8-5 victory at Ball Diamond. The loss drops the Cardinals to 7-23 on the year while Purdue improves to 21-11.

Purdue struck first against freshman left-hander Nestor Bautista (New York, N.Y./George Washington) scoring four runs after two outs in the second inning. The Boilermakers posted five straight hits in the inning, all to the opposite field to take a 4-0 lead against the freshman southpaw.

Ball State answered back in the bottom of the third inning against Purdue right-hander Robert Ramer. Sophomore Kirby Campbell (Muncie, Ind./Cowan) reached base on a fielder's choice and advanced into scoring position after an errant throw by the Purdue second baseman. Junior Cody Elliott (Florence, Ky./Beechwood) drove in the Cardinals' first run as he dropped a double down the left field line to plate Campbell.

Senior shortstop T.J. Baumet (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) was hit by a pitch and junior Mitch Widau (Richmond, Ind./Richmond) loaded the bases as he reached on an infield single. Freshman first baseman Kenny Mahala (Highland, Ind./Andrean) continued to swing a hot bat as he ripped a bases-clearing double over the center fielder's head to tie the game at 4-4. Mahala has now driven in 11 runs in his last three at-bats with the bases loaded after hitting back-to-back grand slams Sunday afternoon.

Ball State took its first lead of the afternoon in the bottom of the eighth inning as Baumet led off the inning with a single through the right side. He moved into scoring position as he stole second base and advanced to third base as Widau dropped down a sacrifice bunt. After the second out of the inning, sophomore Blake Beemer (Dayton, Ohio/Northmont) dropped an infield single down the first base line as he avoided the tag of Purdue first baseman David Blount allowing Baumet to score the go ahead run.

Purdue came back in the top of the ninth inning as Elliott came in from center field to try to close the game. Elliott quickly fell behind as he hit the leadoff batter before getting two quick outs. Cameron Perkins kept the rally going as he reached on an infield single before Kevin Plawecki was hit by the pitch to load the bases. Senior Scott Brothers Jr. (Monticello, Ind./Gulf Coast CC) came on in relief and allow back-to-back two-run singles giving Purdue an 8-5 lead.

The Cardinals were held in check in the bottom of the ninth inning as Nick Wittgren worked a scoreless inning to notch his seventh save of the year. Calvin Gunter (3-0) picked up the victory in relief as he worked 0.2 innings and allowed one run. Ramer got a no decision after working 6.0 innings and allowing four runs on six hits.

Elliott (0-3) was charged with the loss as he allowed three runs on 0.2 innings of work as he was one of six Cardinals to see the hill. Bautista got a no decision after tossing 4.0 innings of four-run baseball as he allowed seven hits.

The Cardinals will be back in action Wednesday afternoon as they host Indiana Tech. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. at Ball Diamond.

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