Friday, April 12
Muncie, Ind.
3 p.m.
Ball State University
22-11, 6-2
3
vs
2
Eastern Michigan
7-26-1, 2-8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Eastern Michigan
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
10
2
Ball State
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
X
3
6
0
Photo by: Mike Janes Photography
Ricotta, Cardinals Fly Past Eagles
April 12, 2019 | Baseball
First baseman drives in all 3 runs as BSU moves MAC mark to 6-2
MUNCIE - Ball State got the pitching performances it needed and John Ricotta did the rest as BSU beat Eastern Michigan 3-2 on Friday. Ricotta drove in all 3 runs in the win, which pushed the Cardinals closer to the top of the standings.
Drey Jameson started and got the win for BSU, staying a step ahead of the battling EMU ace Scott Granzotto. Jameson struck out 8 over 7.0 innings, allowing just 1 run and 1 walk. He allowed a double and a handful of soft singles as the wind roared straight out to center all day in Muncie. Granzotto answered with a quality start of his own, allowing 2 runs over 6 innings. But Ricotta gave the Cardinals an early lead they wouldn't relinquish.
Ball State's first 3 batters in the bottom of the 1st each walked, setting the stage for Ricotta to rock a 1-0 pitch to left-center for a 2-run double. The lead was 2-1 in the 7th when Ricotta homered for the team-leading 5th time this year, a solo shot that put the Cardinals ahead 3-1.
EMU (7-26-1, 2-8 MAC) scored in the top of the 9th to make it 3-2 and it had runners in scoring position but Kyle Nicolas shut the door with a strikeout and popout. Nicolas relieved Jameson for the last 6 outs, notching his 6th save of the year.
Eastern Michigan actually outhit Ball State 10-6, with 4 players having a mult-hit game. But few balls were hit hard and Jameson and Nicolas rose to the occasion each time the Eagles threatened.
SCHEDULE UPDATE
Ball State and Eastern Michigan will play a noon doubleheader Saturday, April 13. There will be no baseball Sunday due to impending rain in the forecast. John Baker and Chayce McDermott are scheduled to take the ball Saturday.
NO FREE BASES
Ball State (22-11, 6-2 MAC) matched a season-best by walking just 1 Eastern batterin Friday's win. BSU also walked a single batter vs. Western Michigan on March 23.
LOTS OF Ks
Jameson is the leading strikeout artist in the MAC, owning 80 strikeouts on the year. Jameson and Nicolas combined for 11 punchouts on Friday, the 19th game this season Ball State pitchers have had 10+ strikeouts. Ball State is 15-4 in those games.
Fans can follow Ball State baseball on Twitter and Instagram at @BallStateBB. BSU home games are also airing locally now on Woof Boom Radio WXFN.
Drey Jameson started and got the win for BSU, staying a step ahead of the battling EMU ace Scott Granzotto. Jameson struck out 8 over 7.0 innings, allowing just 1 run and 1 walk. He allowed a double and a handful of soft singles as the wind roared straight out to center all day in Muncie. Granzotto answered with a quality start of his own, allowing 2 runs over 6 innings. But Ricotta gave the Cardinals an early lead they wouldn't relinquish.
Ball State's first 3 batters in the bottom of the 1st each walked, setting the stage for Ricotta to rock a 1-0 pitch to left-center for a 2-run double. The lead was 2-1 in the 7th when Ricotta homered for the team-leading 5th time this year, a solo shot that put the Cardinals ahead 3-1.
EMU (7-26-1, 2-8 MAC) scored in the top of the 9th to make it 3-2 and it had runners in scoring position but Kyle Nicolas shut the door with a strikeout and popout. Nicolas relieved Jameson for the last 6 outs, notching his 6th save of the year.
Eastern Michigan actually outhit Ball State 10-6, with 4 players having a mult-hit game. But few balls were hit hard and Jameson and Nicolas rose to the occasion each time the Eagles threatened.
SCHEDULE UPDATE
Ball State and Eastern Michigan will play a noon doubleheader Saturday, April 13. There will be no baseball Sunday due to impending rain in the forecast. John Baker and Chayce McDermott are scheduled to take the ball Saturday.
NO FREE BASES
Ball State (22-11, 6-2 MAC) matched a season-best by walking just 1 Eastern batterin Friday's win. BSU also walked a single batter vs. Western Michigan on March 23.
LOTS OF Ks
Jameson is the leading strikeout artist in the MAC, owning 80 strikeouts on the year. Jameson and Nicolas combined for 11 punchouts on Friday, the 19th game this season Ball State pitchers have had 10+ strikeouts. Ball State is 15-4 in those games.
Fans can follow Ball State baseball on Twitter and Instagram at @BallStateBB. BSU home games are also airing locally now on Woof Boom Radio WXFN.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Jameson, Drey (2-3)
L: GRANZOTTO, Scott (3-5)
S: Nicolas, Kyle (6)
Batting:
2B: KAUFFMAN, Jared 1 ; RENSEL JR, John 1
RBI: RENSEL JR, John 1 ; HOPKINS, Taylor 1
SH: PEGGS, Drake 1
Base Running:
RUNS: KAUFFMAN, Jared 1 ; RENSEL JR, John 1
CS: PEGGS, Drake 1
HBP: CRUZ, Cameron 1
PO: PEGGS, Drake 1
Batting:
2B: Ricotta, John 1 ; Conant, Justin 1 ; Powell, Noah 1
HR: Ricotta, John 1
RBI: Ricotta, John 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Sebby, Chase 1 ; Messina, Ross 1 ; Ricotta, John 1
CS: Simpson, Aaron 1 ; Peltier, Ryan 1
HBP: Blankenberger, Tim 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
3
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Baseball
OF/RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball1B
/ BaseballBaseball // 5 AM Workouts
Tuesday, August 26
Ball State Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell discusses the NCAA vs. House Settlement
Tuesday, July 01
Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell discusses NCAA vs. House Settlement & Bill Richards Thank You
Friday, June 27
Baseball // Day 1 MAC Tournament Recap: Win vs. EMU
Thursday, May 22