Ball State University Athletics
Two Big Innings Fuel Baseball to Victory in Exhibition Game
September 22, 2016 | Baseball
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State baseball team tallied seven runs in both the eighth and 10th innings on the way to a 21-5 victory over the Ontario Blue Jays Wednesday afternoon at First Merchants Ballpark Complex. The two teams competed in a 12-inning exhibition game.
“I was pleased with our performance at the plate and on the mound today,” Ball State head coach Rich Maloney said. “The guys played with passion and lots of energy. It was a good day for Ball State baseball.”
Senior catcher/first baseman Caleb Stayton highlighted the offensive barrage with a three-run home run well over the right field fence in the bottom of the fourth inning. Stayton also notched a first inning double and finished with four RBIs. Newcomer Joe Gunn came on in the sixth inning and nearly pulled off the cycle. The outfielder recorded a single, two-run double and RBI triple in his three at-bats. Seven other Cardinals recorded an RBI.
Eight pitchers rotated time on the mound in scripted fashion. Seniors BJ Butler and Kevin Marnon, along with junior Brendan Burns, each tossed two innings without allowing a run. Butler, a first team all-conference selection last spring, pitched the first two innings, struck out two and only allowed an infield single. Marnon and Burns each faced the minimum amount of batters in their two innings of work.
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