Baseball Falls At UAB In Bottom Of The Ninth

Friday, February 24

Birmingham, Ala.

3 p.m. (CT)

Ball State University

1-2

UAB

3-2

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Ball State	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	3	7	1
UAB	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	4	8	0

February 24, 2012 | Baseball

Box Score

By: Ball State Athletics

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Ball State baseball team suffered its second loss of the season Friday afternoon as UAB rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth to claim a 4-3 walk-off victory over the Cardinals at Young Memorial Field.

Senior right-hander Cal Bowling (Muncie, Ind./Yorktown) turned in another strong performance in the no decision as he worked eight-plus innings and allowed two runs on five hits while striking out eight batters. Bowling worked into the ninth inning but allowed the first two base runners to reach base before giving way to the bullpen. This is the second strong outing of the season for him after working 6.2 innings last weekend and allowing just two runs.

Sophomore left-hander Devin Wilburn (Selma, Ind./Wapahani) was charged with the loss as he allowed two runs on three hits in the ninth inning.

The Cardinals (1-2) struck first against UAB right-hander Dillon Napoleon as senior second baseman Mitch Widau (Richmond, Ind./Richmond) led off the game reaching on an infield single. After Widau moved into scoring position on a ground ball, sophomore shortstop T.J. Weir (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) drove in the game's first run as he lined a two-out run-scoring single into left center field for the early 1-0 Ball State lead.

Ball State extended its lead to 3-0 with a pair of runs in the top of the ninth inning off of reliever Dylan Munger. Senior Tim Issler (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Xavier) started things off with a single before Weir doubled into right center field to put two in scoring position. The Cardinals scored their second run as UAB issued back-to-back walks before junior Kirby Campbell (Muncie, Ind./Cowan) lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to make it a 3-0 contest.

UAB led off the bottom of the ninth inning with back-to-back singles putting runners on the corners to end Bowling's night. Wilburn came on and quickly allowed a run-scoring double before hitting the next batter to load the bases. The Blazers kept coming as they went station-to-station with a single and a walk to tie the game at 3-3. UAB claimed victory as Tanner Bryant lined the game-winning hit into left field for the 4-3 victory.

Ball State and UAB will continue its three-game series Saturday afternoon with first pitch set for 2 p.m. (CT). Sophomore left-hander Nestor Bautista (New York, N.Y./George Washington) is set to make his second start of the season for the Cardinals.

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