Matt Eppers’ Walk-Off Hit Lifts Ball State to 7-6 Win

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State baseball team completed the three-game sweep over Toledo Sunday afternoon at First Merchants Ballpark Complex, but it certainly wasn't easy for the host Cardinals. Ball State never led until senior Matt Eppers delivered a perfectly placed two-out RBI bloop single to left-center field in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Cardinals the 7-6 victory.

Since beginning the conference season with six straight losses, Ball State (25-22, 12-9 MAC) has roared back to win 12 of its last 15 Mid-American Conference games. Along the way, the Cardinals have swept Western Michigan, Bowling Green and now Toledo.

For much of Sunday's game, it appeared Matt Hansen's sacrifice fly in the fourth inning would be the game-winning play for Toledo (14-33, 7-11). That play gave Toledo a slight 5-4 lead, which the Rockets held until the eighth inning.

Antonio Bennett came through with an RBI single to shallow right field in the top of the eighth to push Toledo's lead to 6-4.

Ball State answered with a run in the bottom of the eighth. Junior Jeff Riedel ripped an RBI double just inside the right field line to cut the lead back to one run at 6-5. The Cardinals would go on to load the bases with just one out in the eighth only to see Toledo reliever Luke Schaefer tally a strike out and pop out to end the threat.

In the bottom of the ninth, Ball State immediately put pressure on Toledo with a Griffin Hulecki single and Seth Freed walk. Sophomore Roman Baisa tried to move the runners along with a sacrifice bunt, but a fielding error allowed Baisa to reach as well. With one out, senior Alex Maloney lifted a fly ball to left field to score Hulecki and tie the game. Eppers followed with a bloop single that fell right in the middle of three Toledo fielders, and Baisa easily scored the winning run.

This was Ball State's first walk-off win since scoring four runs in the bottom of the ninth to shock Akron in the 2015 MAC Tournament on May 23, 2015. That victory sent Ball State to the league championship game.

Senior lefty Evan Korson was a key reason why the Cardinals had the chance to win Sunday's game. He pitched the final 5.2 innings, struck out seven batters and held Toledo to only one run.

Ross Adolph led Toledo at the plate by going 3-for-4 with a double and scoring twice.

Ball State has two non-conference games on the schedule this coming week. First up is a home game against Fort Wayne on Tuesday, May 9. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.

For the most up-to-date information on the Ball State baseball team, including schedule updates for this weekend's series, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateBB and @CoachMaloney.

Matt Eppers’ Walk-Off Hit Lifts Ball State to 7-6 Win

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Team Stats

Matt Eppers

Seth Freed

Alex Maloney

Sean Kennedy

Players Mentioned

Roman Baisa

Matt Eppers

Seth Freed

Griffin Hulecki

Evan Korson

Alex Maloney

Jeff Riedel

Players Mentioned

Roman Baisa

Matt Eppers

Seth Freed

Griffin Hulecki

Evan Korson

Alex Maloney

Jeff Riedel