Strong Pitching Leads Ball State to 3-1 Victory

Sunday, February 21

Surprise, Ariz.

12:00 PM

Ball State University

1-3

Utah Valley

2-2

Utah Valley

Ball State

February 22, 2016 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score

By: Ball State Athletics

SURPRISE, Ariz. – The Ball State University baseball team wrapped up play at the Surprise College Baseball Classic on a positive note Sunday morning with a 3-1 victory over Utah Valley.

Starting pitcher Kevin Marnon, making his debut for the Cardinals (1-3) after transferring from Akron, held the Wolverines (2-2) to one run on four hits over 6.2 innings. The lefty did not allow a hit until the fifth inning and struck out three batters. Junior BJ Butler came on in relief and worked out of a jam in the seventh inning. Butler pitched the final two innings as well and induced two double plays, including a ground ball double play to end the game.

Ball State opened the scoring in the fourth inning. Junior Alex Call led off the frame with an infield single. He eventually worked his way to third base and scored on a failed pick-off attempt on junior Caleb Stayton at first base, who had reached on a walk. The Cardinals added a run in the sixth thanks to a Stayton RBI single.

After Utah Valley notched a run in the seventh, Ball State added an insurance run in the eighth. Senior Ryan Spaulding crossed home plate on a wild pitch.

Stayton led the offense over the four-game weekend, hitting .313 (5-of-16) and knocking in three runs. Meanwhile, Spaulding reached base safely eight times behind five walks and a pair of doubles.

Ball State returns to action next weekend at the Russ Matt Invitational in Winter Haven, Florida. The Cardinals will once again play four games in three days beginning with Milwaukee on Friday night, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m.

For the most up-to-date information on the Ball State baseball team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateBB and @CoachMaloney.