Miscommunication by Butler University's defense allowed Ball State University to take control in the bottom of the third inning.
Three Bulldog defenders allowed a fly ball hit by second baseman Kyle Dygert to drop in shallow right center field, allowing first baseman Brad Miller to tie the game, 3-3. Dygert would have advanced to first even if the ball had been caught because of a catcher's interference call, but Miller would have stayed on third.
The next Ball State (22-18) at-bat resulted in a three-run home run by left fielder Chris Pestle, giving the Cardinals a 6-3 lead, which was later increased to an 8-3 win.
"Pestle made that hurt," Dygert said. "That's all Pestle, for coming up and getting that home run. There are going to be mistakes made, and more often than not, the team that wins is the team that takes advantage of those mistakes. Pestle took full advantage of that mistake."
Coach Greg Beals said he felt it was a complete team win, with no errors made and the bullpen's dominating performance.
"Today was a complete effort for our ball club," Beals said. "The guys on the radio said it was flawless and I think flawless is a pretty good word."
Behind 1-0, Ball State took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first with an RBI single by Miller and a sacrifice fly by Justin Rogers.
"I think everybody played together today," Pestle said. "Our offense is starting to get back on track, our pitching did well and we made some plays defensively."
Ball State's bullpen dominated Butler's offense, allowing three hits in five innings. Jeff Michael, who relieved Broughton, gave up two hits and Kory Bucklew gave up the other, but the Bulldogs' offense sent no more than four batters to the plate in each of the remaining five innings.
Pestle's RBI double and Matt Gard's RBI single gave Ball State its final two runs of the game in the fifth inning.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
