Friday, February 24
Conway, S.C.
4 pm
Ball State University
2-2
0
at
1
Coastal Carolina
3-3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Ball State
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
1
Coastal Carolina
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
X
1
3
0
RHP BJ Butler
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Coastal Carolina Wins 1-0 Pitcher’s Duel Over Ball State
February 24, 2017 | Baseball
CONWAY, S.C. – Defending national champion Coastal Carolina scored the only run of the game on a sixth inning sacrifice bunt to earn a 1-0 win over the Ball State baseball team Friday afternoon at Springs Brooks Stadium.
The Cardinals (2-2) were looking for their second win over a nationally ranked team after taking down No. 22 Maryland last weekend. The loss spoiled a solid pitching performance from senior BJ Butler. The righty went seven innings, struck out seven batters and allowed just two hits.
No. 18 Coastal Carolina's (3-3) starting pitcher Alex Cunningham was just as effective as Butler. He went eight innings and only gave up five singles to Ball State.
Ball State's best scoring chance came in the top of the ninth inning. The Cardinals loaded the bases with one out thanks to a pair of walks and infield single from senior Sean Kennedy. Sophomore CJ Alexander then narrowly missed an extra base hit down the right field line. He proceeded to strike out and the game ended on senior Matt Epper's ground out to third base.
Sophomore Roman Baisa reached base three times with a pair of hits and a walk.
This was Ball State's first 1-0 loss since falling to Illinois on Feb. 27, 2015.
Ball State continues play at the Caravelle Resort Tournament tomorrow with a doubleheader against George Mason. Game one is slated to begin at 1 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information on the Ball State baseball team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateBB and @CoachMaloney.
The Cardinals (2-2) were looking for their second win over a nationally ranked team after taking down No. 22 Maryland last weekend. The loss spoiled a solid pitching performance from senior BJ Butler. The righty went seven innings, struck out seven batters and allowed just two hits.
No. 18 Coastal Carolina's (3-3) starting pitcher Alex Cunningham was just as effective as Butler. He went eight innings and only gave up five singles to Ball State.
Ball State's best scoring chance came in the top of the ninth inning. The Cardinals loaded the bases with one out thanks to a pair of walks and infield single from senior Sean Kennedy. Sophomore CJ Alexander then narrowly missed an extra base hit down the right field line. He proceeded to strike out and the game ended on senior Matt Epper's ground out to third base.
Sophomore Roman Baisa reached base three times with a pair of hits and a walk.
This was Ball State's first 1-0 loss since falling to Illinois on Feb. 27, 2015.
Ball State continues play at the Caravelle Resort Tournament tomorrow with a doubleheader against George Mason. Game one is slated to begin at 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: Cunningham (2-0)
L: Butler, BJ (0-1)
S: Holmes, B. (1)
Base Running:
SB: Baisa, Roman 1
CS: Baisa, Roman 1
Batting:
RBI: Lancaster, S 1
SH: Lancaster, S 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Wood, C. 1
SB: Wood, C. 1 ; Cooke, B. 1
HBP: Cooke, B. 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
OF/1B
/ BaseballOF
/ Baseball
INF
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