Ball State University
5-18, 3-1
Miami
12-13, 3-1
Bowling's Gem Leads Baseball To Victory At Miami
April 02, 2011 | Baseball
OXFORD, Ohio - Ball State junior right-hander Cal Bowling (Muncie, Ind./Yorktown) tossed his second straight complete game, this time a complete game shutout, as the Cardinals blanked Mid-American Conference East Division leader Miami 2-0 Friday night at McKie Field. Bowling posted a complete game two-hitter last Friday afternoon in the Cardinals victory over Ohio.
Bowling improved to 3-1 on the season as he limited the RedHawks to just four hits and only allowed two base runners to reach third base. He struck out six batters and did not walk anyone while only needing 98 pitches for the complete game. He becomes the first Cardinal pitcher since Ben Snyder in 2005 to post two complete games in a single season. He also improves to 8-0 in his 11 career MAC starts after posting a 6-0 mark last season and opening the year 2-0 in league play this season.
Ball State (5-18, 3-1 MAC) struck early against Miami right-hander Mac Thoreson as it plated a run in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Junior second baseman Mitch Widau (Richmond, Ind./Richmond) started the rally off as he dropped a two-out single over the second baseman's head.
Thoreson issued a walk to cleanup hitter Billy Wellman (Portland, Ind./Jay County) to move Widau into scoring position. Freshman Kenny Mahala (Highland, Ind./Andrean) put the Cardinals in the lead as he ripped a run-scoring single up the middle to bring Widau home.
Miami (12-13, 3-1 MAC) threatened in the bottom of the third inning as Kevin Bower led off with the RedHawks' first hit singling through the right side of the infield. Bowling buckled down and got a foul fly ball before inducing an inning-ending double play off the bat of Jon Edgington.
The RedHawks once again threatened in the bottom of the fourth inning as Ryan Brenner and Bryce Redeker each posted singles to put two aboard with one out. Bowling induced a ground ball out from cleanup hitter Kyle Weldon before getting out of the inning with an infield pop fly by Marcus Makuch.
Ball State extended its lead to 2-0 as it took advantage of a pair of Miami errors in the top of the seventh inning. Sophomore Blake Beemer (Dayton, Ohio/Northmont) reached base on a fielder's choice and classmate Stephen Claypool (Dearborn, Mich./Divine Child) put two aboard as he ripped a line drive single off the pitcher's backside. Freshman catcher Mitch Overley (Zionsville, Ind./Brebeuf) drove in his third career run as he ripped a run-scoring single up the middle to score Beemer from second base.
Miami could not muster anything on Bowling down the stretch as he retired the last 12 batters after Brenner reached on an error in the sixth inning. He only faced 31 batters, just four over the minimum in the victory.
Thoreson (2-2) was charged with the loss as he allowed two runs on five hits in 6.2 innings of work as he struck out six batters. Matt Rosinksi and Sam Dawes worked the final 2.1 innings of shutout relief but the Cardinals' offense already posted enough runs for Bowling on the night.
Ball State and Miami will continue their three-game series Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at McKie Field with senior left-hander Derek Grabner (Fort Wayne, Ind./Lincoln Trail) set to take the hill for the Cardinals.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Bowling, Cal (3-1)
L: THORESON, Mac (2-2)
Batting:
2B: Claypool, Stephen 1 ; Campbell, Kirby 1
RBI: Mahala, Kenny 1 ; Overley, Mitch 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Widau, Mitch 1 ; Beemer, Blake 1
HBP: Baumet, T.J. 1
Base Running:
SB: BRENNER, Ryan 1 ; GSCHWIND, Brad 1
