Hot Streak Continues For Cardinals

MUNCIE – The winning streak is now at 7. After a 5-0 week last week, the Ball State baseball team stayed hot offensively to rout Valparaiso 14-8 on Wednesday afternoon. The Cardinals led 11-2 before Valparaiso put together a few rallies late. It was the 3rd straight game BSU has scored double-digit runs, and now the stage is set for a key conference series this weekend.

Ross Messina and John Ricotta each homered and combined for 4 RBIs. Noah Navarro went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, a walk and 3 runs. The Cardinals slugged 8 XBH and 5 Cards enjoyed a multi-hit afternoon.

Trailing 2-0 in the 1^st inning, Ball State (16-9) put up crooked numbers in 3 innings in a row to lead 7-2. Something something to score 3 more in the 6^th to make it 10-2. Ross Messina added a solo shot to left to make it 11-2 in the bottom of the 7^th. Valparaiso scored 6 late runs, including 5 in the top of the 8th.

Mike Pachmayer was credited with the win after retiring all 9 Valpo batters he faced. His 3.0 perfect innings came in just 31 pitches. Lukas Jaksich and Ty Weatherly also added a scoreless inning apiece.

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These guys caught HR balls hit today by @JohnRicotta21 & @RossMessina. Always love kickin' it with young Cards fans!#ChirpChirp #WeFly pic.twitter.com/xGn0TKGKMX
— Ball State Baseball (@BallStateBB) March 28, 2019

ADDING UP THE WINNING STREAK
During its current 7-game win streak, Ball State has put up video game-like offensive numbers:

Scored 81 runs, an average of 11.6 per game
Collected 112 hits while allowing only 63 hits
Slugged 42 XBH (23 doubles, 10 triples, 9 HRs)
Batted .410 as a team with a team OBP of .475.

Individually, Ricotta is batting .586 with 4 HRs and 15 RBIs during the win streak. Aaron Simpson (.541), William Baker (.500) and Messina (.500) are all batting .500 or better.

WEAR IT!
Noah Powell had an interesting day while reaching base 4 times. Powell had a single and scored a team-high 4 runs, with the added fun of being hit by a pitch 3 times. Each HBP came from a different Valpo pitcher.

FIRST PITCH
Ball State Athletics Director Beth Goetz, a diehard St. Louis (and Ball State) Cardinals fan, threw out a ceremonial first pitch before Wednesday's game.

Ball State will host preseason MAC favorite Kent State this weekend March 29-31. Friday's game is scheduled for 3 p.m. The games will be on ESPN+.

Fans can follow the Cardinals on Twitter and Instagram at @BallStateBB.

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Team Stats

Aaron Simpson

Noah Navarro

Ross Messina

William Baker

Players Mentioned

William Baker

Lukas Jaksich

Ross Messina

Noah Navarro

Mike Pachmayer

Noah Powell

John Ricotta

Aaron Simpson

Ty Weatherly

Players Mentioned

William Baker

Lukas Jaksich

Ross Messina

Noah Navarro

Mike Pachmayer

Noah Powell

John Ricotta

Aaron Simpson

Ty Weatherly