Friday, February 21
Houston, TX
3 p.m. (2 CT)
Ball State University
1-3
5
at
3
Houston Baptist
1-5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
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Ball State
0
3
0
0
0
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5
11
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HBU
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1
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8
3
Messina's Clutch Hit Gives BSU Extra-Innings Win
February 21, 2020 | Baseball
HOUSTON - Ross Messina smacked a two-run single in the 11th inning to deliver the clutch hit in Ball State's 5-3 victory at Houston Babtist on Friday. It was BSU's first win of the young season. Four Cardinals relievers combined for 6.1 shutout innings, with Ty Weatherly earning the win and Tyler Ruetschle picking up his first career save.
VIEW SOME PHOTOS
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ROSS WITH THE GAME-WINNER
With the game tied 3-3 in the 11th, Noah Navarro and Ryan Peltier started the inning with a pair of singles. Adam Tellier pinch hit and sacrificed the runners into scoring position, setting up Messina's big hit. The senior outfielder hit the first pitch he saw for a 2-out single to left-center, driving in the two runs that provided the final score. Luke Jaksich and Ruetschle got the final three outs to clinch the win.
"I knew the pitcher had to come right at me with the bases loaded," Messina said. "I was looking for something near the zone to put the barrel on. He left one up for me right away and I jumped on it."
Messina also made a nice play in the outfield early in the game, a diving catch that led to a 9-3 double play.
COLE'S CONTRIBUTIONS
Ball State led 3-0 in the 2nd inning when Zach Cole hit a two-run double and then scored on a base hit from Justin Conant. Cole's .364 on-base percentage is second on the team among players with 10+ plate appearances. BSU held the lead until HBU tied the game in the bottom of the 5th.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Conant led the team with three hits and Aaron Simpson led off the game with a double. Navarro, Peltier and Messina all had two hits. Navarro scored twice and also stole a base. John Baker started and went 4.2 innings, striking out six. Andre Orselli enter the game in the 5th inning and was strong, throwing 4.2 shutout innings.Â
OFF THE FIELD EXPERIENCE
On Thursday, the Cardinals were able to have an enriching educational experience, visiting Space Center Houston.Â
UP NEXT
Ball State and Houston Baptist will do it again Saturday afternoon starting at 2 p.m. ET. Kyle Nicolas is set to take the mound for the Cardinals. Fans can listen to the action and follow live stats by clicking on the links on the baseball schedule page.
VIEW SOME PHOTOS
Facebook Photo Album  |  Instagram
ROSS WITH THE GAME-WINNER
With the game tied 3-3 in the 11th, Noah Navarro and Ryan Peltier started the inning with a pair of singles. Adam Tellier pinch hit and sacrificed the runners into scoring position, setting up Messina's big hit. The senior outfielder hit the first pitch he saw for a 2-out single to left-center, driving in the two runs that provided the final score. Luke Jaksich and Ruetschle got the final three outs to clinch the win.
"I knew the pitcher had to come right at me with the bases loaded," Messina said. "I was looking for something near the zone to put the barrel on. He left one up for me right away and I jumped on it."
Messina also made a nice play in the outfield early in the game, a diving catch that led to a 9-3 double play.
COLE'S CONTRIBUTIONS
Ball State led 3-0 in the 2nd inning when Zach Cole hit a two-run double and then scored on a base hit from Justin Conant. Cole's .364 on-base percentage is second on the team among players with 10+ plate appearances. BSU held the lead until HBU tied the game in the bottom of the 5th.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Conant led the team with three hits and Aaron Simpson led off the game with a double. Navarro, Peltier and Messina all had two hits. Navarro scored twice and also stole a base. John Baker started and went 4.2 innings, striking out six. Andre Orselli enter the game in the 5th inning and was strong, throwing 4.2 shutout innings.Â
OFF THE FIELD EXPERIENCE
On Thursday, the Cardinals were able to have an enriching educational experience, visiting Space Center Houston.Â
UP NEXT
Ball State and Houston Baptist will do it again Saturday afternoon starting at 2 p.m. ET. Kyle Nicolas is set to take the mound for the Cardinals. Fans can listen to the action and follow live stats by clicking on the links on the baseball schedule page.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Weatherly, Ty (1-1)
L: Spinney, Austin (0-2)
S: Ruetschle, Tyler (1)
Batting:
2B: Simpson, Aaron 1 ; Cole, Zach 1
RBI: Messina, Ross 2 ; Cole, Zach 2 ; Conant, Justin 1
SH: Tellier, Adam 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Navarro, Noah 2 ; Peltier, Ryan 2 ; Cole, Zach 1
SB: Navarro, Noah 1
CS: Conant, Justin 1
HBP: Powell, Noah 1
Batting:
2B: Edmondson, Ryne 1
RBI: Gonzales, Johnny 1 ; Franson, Trent 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Edmondson, Ryne 1 ; Gonzales, Johnny 1 ; Clark, Cal 1
SB: Clark, Cal 1
HBP: Edmondson, Ryne 1
PO: Gonzales, Johnny 1
Game Leaders
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RBI
1
AB
6
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2
RBI
2
AB
4
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2
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2
RBI
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AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
RHP
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