Ball State University
36-17, 20-5
Toledo
17-36, 4-21
Seniors Have Memorable Regular Season Finale in 11-8 Win
May 18, 2019 | Baseball
Ball State (36-17, 20-5 MAC) needed to win today and have Central Michigan fall in its finale to claim the Mid-American Conference regular season title. Unfortunately, the Chippewas won their 15th straight game overall to keep Ball State right behind CMU (43-12, 22-5). Central will be the No. 1 seed at next week's MAC Tournament while Ball State will be in the No. 2 spot.
The Cardinals put up five runs on Toledo (17-36, 4-21) in the first two innings and never trailed. Four of the five seniors who were honored before the start of the game – William Baker, Brendan Burns, Griffin Hulecki and John Ricotta – played a role in Saturday's win.
Ricotta hit a three-run bomb as part of five-run sixth inning and finished with three hits and six RBIs. Baker had two hits and scored three times. Burns pitched a pair of relief innings while Hulecki notched a hit for the third straight game. Nick Floyd was a key player in yesterday's win as the righty pitched the final 5.1 innings to pick up that win.
Meanwhile, catcher Chase Sebby homered twice, his first two long balls of the year, and Aaron Simpson added a solo shot of his own.
The Cardinals reached 20 league wins for the first time since 2014. Next up will be a MAC Tournament game against either No. 3 Kent State, No. 4 Miami or No. 5 Northern Illinois on day two of the tournament, Thursday, May 23. That game will be broadcast on ESPN+ at 6 p.m.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State baseball team, please follow @BallStateBB, @CoachMaloney and @BallStateSports.
Thank you fans for your support today and throughout the season!! ?? pic.twitter.com/aqEvmevFHx
— Ball State Baseball (@BallStateBB) May 18, 2019
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Jaksich, Lukas (1-2)
L: JACOB, Michael (2-9)
S: Gazouski, Nolan (2)
Batting:
2B: DAVIS, Darryn 1 ; MOHNICKEY, Mark 1
RBI: BOSS, Brad 1 ; SCHWARTZENBERGER, Z. 2 ; COMPTON, Andrew 1 ; MOHNICKEY, Mark 1 ; EITNIEAR, Thomas 2
Base Running:
RUNS: DAVIS, Darryn 1 ; MEYERS, Chris 1 ; COMPTON, Andrew 2 ; MURPHY, Danny 2 ; JEFFERS, David 2
SB: MEYERS, Chris 1
CS: EITNIEAR, Thomas 1
HBP: BOSS, Brad 1 ; SCHWARTZENBERGER, Z. 1
PO: EITNIEAR, Thomas 1
Batting:
2B: Messina, Ross 1
3B: Powell, Noah 1
HR: Simpson, Aaron 1 ; Ricotta, John 1 ; Sebby, Chase 2
RBI: Simpson, Aaron 1 ; Baker, William 1 ; Ricotta, John 6 ; Sebby, Chase 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Simpson, Aaron 2 ; Baker, William 3 ; Messina, Ross 2 ; Ricotta, John 1 ; Sebby, Chase 2 ; Peltier, Ryan 1
CS: Baker, William 1
HBP: Baker, William 1 ; Messina, Ross 1 ; Murphy, Mack 1
