Ball State University
17-9, 4-0
Kent State
10-14, 1-3
WALK OFF! Cardinals Fight Back To Beat Kent State
March 29, 2019 | Baseball
Cardinals win 'epic battle' with Kent State after 13 innings
It's not quite last Sunday's Auburn-Mississippi State game, but this is a bonkers game in Muncie between Ball State and Kent State https://t.co/M0I3P2sWQC
— Teddy Cahill (@tedcahill) March 29, 2019
Baseball America called it a "bonkers game." Rich Maloney called it an "epic battle" and an "instant classic." The MAC's top-ranked teams squared off Friday and Ball State was left standing, winning 9-8 in a wild 13-inning contest on Friday. The Cardinals are now 4-0 in MAC play and a perfect 9-0 at Ball Diamond.
The game-winning run crossed when Ross Messina was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Ball State trailed 7-5 in the 9th inning and 8-7 in the 12th but the Cardinals kept answering.
With rain circling the area and scouts lining the bullpen before the game, emotions ran high in a high-level game. Ball State built a 5-1 lead behind 8+ standout innings from Drey Jameson, who struck out a career-high 13 and had allowed just 4 baserunners heading into the 9th inning. Kent State exploded for 6 runs to erase Ball State's lead, highlighted by a 3-run home run by Kian O'Brien. Kyle Nicolas came on and pitched 4.0 innings, striking out 6 and allowing 3 earned runs. Mike Pachmayer finished the game and was the winning pitcher.
A list of the game's big moments go on and on, but a pinch-hit double in the bottom fo the 9th by Tim Blankenberger and a 2-out, RBI single in the 12th by John Ricotta stand out. With the game tied 8-8, Chase Sebby reached base to lead off the 13th and then Kent State made an error on a sac bunt attempt. An intentional walk to Nick Powell loaded the bases for Noah Navarro, who hit a grounder to 3rd base. A throw home forced Sebby, but the bases were still loaded for Ross Messina, the Cardinals No. 3 hitter who had 2 hits already on the day. The first pitch to Messina plunked him on the arm and the Cardinals had clinched their 8th straight win.
Messina, Aaron Simpson and William Baker all had a pair of hits for BSU and Noah Powell scored 2 runs.
Heavy rain is in Muncie's Saturday forecast, so fans should be aware of any schedule adjustments. Follow the Cards on Twitter and Instagram at @Ballstatebb and be sure to check the baseball schedule page for the most up-to-date information.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Pachmayer, Mike (4-0)
L: SCHULTZ, Zach (1-2)
Batting:
2B: O'BRIEN, Kian 1 ; TOUCHETTE, Cam 1
3B: HOLLANDER, Josh 1
HR: O'BRIEN, Kian 1 ; RONNEBAUM, Alex 1
RBI: PARKS, Pavin 1 ; O'BRIEN, Kian 3 ; RONNEBAUM, Alex 3
Base Running:
RUNS: SCHULER, Pete 1 ; CAREW, BEN 1 ; PARKS, Pavin 1 ; O'BRIEN, Kian 1 ; HOLLANDER, Josh 2 ; RONNEBAUM, Alex 1 ; TOUCHETTE, Cam 1
SB: KIRBY, Justin 1 ; ELSEN, Nick 1
HBP: SCHULER, Pete 1 ; HOLLANDER, Josh 1 ; RONNEBAUM, Alex 1
Batting:
2B: Messina, Ross 1 ; Sebby, Chase 1 ; Blankenberger, Tim 1
HR: Navarro, Noah 1
RBI: Simpson, Aaron 2 ; Navarro, Noah 1 ; Messina, Ross 1 ; Ricotta, John 1 ; Baker, William 1 ; Sebby, Chase 1 ; Powell, Noah 1 ; Blankenberger, Tim 1
SH: Murphy, Mack 1 ; Sebby, Chase 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Simpson, Aaron 1 ; Navarro, Noah 1 ; Messina, Ross 1 ; Baker, William 1 ; Sebby, Chase 1 ; Powell, Noah 2 ; Peltier, Ryan 1 ; Ginder, Langston 1
CS: Simpson, Aaron 1
HBP: Simpson, Aaron 1 ; Messina, Ross 1 ; Sebby, Chase 1
