Thursday, May 17
Muncie, Ind.
3 p.m.
Ball State University
29-24, 15-10
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Western Michigan
23-23, 12-11
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Western Michigan
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Ball State
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Photo by: Mike Janes Photography
Big Third Inning Propels Western Michigan to 10-5 Win
May 17, 2018 | Baseball
MUNCIE, Ind. – Western Michigan scored six runs in the third inning to break a scoreless tie, and the Broncos went on to post a 10-5 win over the Ball State baseball team Thursday afternoon at First Merchants Ballpark Complex.
WMU (23-23, 12-11 MAC) only needed two hits to score the six runs in the decisive inning. Ball State (29-24, 15-10) starting pitcher John Baker struggled with his command, issuing four walks in the third. Andrew Stone put the Broncos on the board with an RBI single to left field. Three of the next four runs scored thanks to wild pitches with a runner on third base. A fielding error by first baseman John Ricotta allowed another run to score as well.
The Cardinals sliced into the deficit with three runs in the fifth, but easily could have scored more if not for one play. Sophomore Noah Powell and senior Jeff Riedel each tallied RBI singles to make the score 6-2. With the bases loaded and still nobody out, junior Griffin Hulecki ripped a ball down the third base line that was caught on one hop by Jimmy Roche. Western's third baseman touched third base and then threw home to complete a double play.
Ball State managed to get one more run in the fifth inning behind senior Seth Freed's RBI double. However, senior Colin Brockhouse flied out to center to end the inning, stranding runners on second and third base.
Western Michigan put the game away with four more runs in the seventh inning to stretch the lead to 10-3. Six of the 10 runs scored by the Broncos reached base via a walk.
Baker only tossed 2.2 innings in his shortest appearance of the season. The righty issued a season-high six walks after only issuing 24 total in his previous 13 starts.
Stone reached base four times for WMU out of the leadoff position and scored twice. Five different Broncos recorded an RBI.
The two teams will be right back in action tomorrow, May 18, for game two of the series. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information on the Ball State baseball team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateBB and @CoachMaloney.
WMU (23-23, 12-11 MAC) only needed two hits to score the six runs in the decisive inning. Ball State (29-24, 15-10) starting pitcher John Baker struggled with his command, issuing four walks in the third. Andrew Stone put the Broncos on the board with an RBI single to left field. Three of the next four runs scored thanks to wild pitches with a runner on third base. A fielding error by first baseman John Ricotta allowed another run to score as well.
The Cardinals sliced into the deficit with three runs in the fifth, but easily could have scored more if not for one play. Sophomore Noah Powell and senior Jeff Riedel each tallied RBI singles to make the score 6-2. With the bases loaded and still nobody out, junior Griffin Hulecki ripped a ball down the third base line that was caught on one hop by Jimmy Roche. Western's third baseman touched third base and then threw home to complete a double play.
Ball State managed to get one more run in the fifth inning behind senior Seth Freed's RBI double. However, senior Colin Brockhouse flied out to center to end the inning, stranding runners on second and third base.
Western Michigan put the game away with four more runs in the seventh inning to stretch the lead to 10-3. Six of the 10 runs scored by the Broncos reached base via a walk.
Baker only tossed 2.2 innings in his shortest appearance of the season. The righty issued a season-high six walks after only issuing 24 total in his previous 13 starts.
Stone reached base four times for WMU out of the leadoff position and scored twice. Five different Broncos recorded an RBI.
The two teams will be right back in action tomorrow, May 18, for game two of the series. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information on the Ball State baseball team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateBB and @CoachMaloney.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: MEHELICH, Zach (1-1)
L: Baker, John (4-5)
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Batting:
RBI: STONE, Andrew 1 ; GRYS, Nate 1 ; DUNN, Blake 1 ; FORESTELL, Jesse 1 ; DEVINE, Drew 1
SH: HENDERSON, Conner 1
Base Running:
RUNS: STONE, Andrew 2 ; SMITH, Connor 2 ; ROCHE,Jimmy 2 ; GRYS, Nate 2 ; FORESTELL, Jesse 1 ; DEVINE, Drew 1
CS: DUNN, Blake 1
Batting:
2B: Freed, Seth 1
RBI: Powell, Noah 1 ; Riedel, Jeff 1 ; Freed, Seth 1 ; Brockhouse, Colin 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Sebby, Chase 1 ; Riedel, Jeff 1 ; Hulecki, Griffin 1 ; Kirkpatrick, Justin 1 ; Blankenberger, Tim 1
CS: Powell, Noah 1
HBP: Powell, Noah 1 ; Sebby, Chase 2
Game Leaders
AB
5
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
5
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
5
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
AB
5
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ BaseballOF
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/ BaseballOF/C
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INF
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1B
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