Saturday, February 18
Clearwater, Fla.
2 pm
Ball State University
2-0
3
vs
2
Alabama State
0-2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Ball State
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
3
7
1
Alabama State
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
9
2
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Ball State Holds Off Alabama State, 3-2
February 18, 2017 | Baseball
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Starting pitcher Kevin Marnon went five innings and struck out six batters to help the Ball State baseball team pick up a 3-2 win over Alabama State Saturday afternoon at Spectrum Field.
Marnon, a senior lefty from Shelby Township, Michigan, struggled in the first inning, but managed to hold the Hornets (0-2) to just one run. The first three batters in the bottom of the first reached base for Alabama State, capped by Ray Hernandez's RBI single. However, Marnon settled down with a pair of strikeouts and a fly out to escape further damage.
Ball State (2-0) got on the board in the third inning with a pair of runs. Senior Matt Eppers plated sophomore Trent Theisen with an RBI triple to left center field. Eppers then came home on a sacrifice bunt by redshirt sophomore Roman Baisa. One inning later, senior Alex Maloney scored a run to give the Cardinals a 3-1 lead.
Marnon finished his day by striking out the side in the fifth inning. Ball State's bullpen held Alabama State off the scoreboard until the ninth inning. The Hornets used a double and two-out RBI single to cut the deficit to one, but senior pitcher David Current closed out the game with a fly out.
Theisen and Maloney each had two hits and scored a run for the Cardinals. Eppers now has a double, triple and three RBIs through the first two games of the season.
On the mound, redshirt sophomore T.J. Baker made his collegiate debut and pitched two scoreless innings of relief. Current pitched the final two innings to pick up his second save of his career.
For Alabama State, the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champion, pitcher Brandon Caples went seven innings, struck out four and allowed three runs.
Ball State wraps up its opening weekend in Florida tomorrow against No. 6 Louisville. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information on the Ball State baseball team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateBB and @CoachMaloney.
Marnon, a senior lefty from Shelby Township, Michigan, struggled in the first inning, but managed to hold the Hornets (0-2) to just one run. The first three batters in the bottom of the first reached base for Alabama State, capped by Ray Hernandez's RBI single. However, Marnon settled down with a pair of strikeouts and a fly out to escape further damage.
Ball State (2-0) got on the board in the third inning with a pair of runs. Senior Matt Eppers plated sophomore Trent Theisen with an RBI triple to left center field. Eppers then came home on a sacrifice bunt by redshirt sophomore Roman Baisa. One inning later, senior Alex Maloney scored a run to give the Cardinals a 3-1 lead.
Marnon finished his day by striking out the side in the fifth inning. Ball State's bullpen held Alabama State off the scoreboard until the ninth inning. The Hornets used a double and two-out RBI single to cut the deficit to one, but senior pitcher David Current closed out the game with a fly out.
Theisen and Maloney each had two hits and scored a run for the Cardinals. Eppers now has a double, triple and three RBIs through the first two games of the season.
On the mound, redshirt sophomore T.J. Baker made his collegiate debut and pitched two scoreless innings of relief. Current pitched the final two innings to pick up his second save of his career.
For Alabama State, the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champion, pitcher Brandon Caples went seven innings, struck out four and allowed three runs.
Ball State wraps up its opening weekend in Florida tomorrow against No. 6 Louisville. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information on the Ball State baseball team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateBB and @CoachMaloney.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Marnon, Kevin (1-0)
L: Caples,Brandon (0-1)
S: Current, David (1)
Batting:
3B: Eppers, Matt 1
RBI: Baisa, Roman 1 ; Freed, Seth 1 ; Eppers, Matt 1
SH: Baisa, Roman 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Maloney, Alex 1 ; Theisen, Trent 1 ; Eppers, Matt 1
HBP: Alexander, CJ 1
PO: Alexander, CJ 1
Batting:
2B: Cox,Cage 1
RBI: Hernandez,Ray 1 ; Amion,Diandre 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cox,Cage 2
SB: Ocasio,Carlos 1 ; Prioleau,Oscar 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
OF
/ BaseballINF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ BaseballC
/ BaseballBaseball // 5 AM Workouts
Tuesday, August 26
Ball State Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell discusses the NCAA vs. House Settlement
Tuesday, July 01
Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell discusses NCAA vs. House Settlement & Bill Richards Thank You
Friday, June 27
Baseball // Day 1 MAC Tournament Recap: Win vs. EMU
Thursday, May 22