As the saying goes, when it rains, it pours.
And when the wind blows toward the outfield at Ball Diamond, it can produce an offensive explosion.
Three Ball State University records were tied against Valparaiso University (4-15) in the Cardinals' 31-19 win, a win that extended their winning streak to eight. The Cardinals tied a school record for most runs (31), hits (28) and runs batted in (29) during a game.
"A lot of offense," coach Greg Beals said. "I didn't know what the record for hits and runs were, but had I known it wouldn't have changed anything."
The previous record for most runs in a game came in 1999 against Akron on the same date.
"We've done that a few times, putting up big numbers on days when it's been windy like today," center fielder Mike Sullivan said. "It's cool because I know everyone on our team did their part today and everyone contributed so it was definitely a fun day."
The two teams combined for nine home runs, four off the bat by a Ball State player.
"A lot of it came from Mother Nature," Beals said. "The wind was blowing, it was obviously very strong today. It's a combination of our bats starting to come around and good old Mother Nature had the wind blowing out today."
First baseman Brad Miller sent three balls over the outfield wall, just one home run shy of the team's game-high, which coincidentally he set against Valparaiso two years ago. Miller could have tied his record in the bottom of the eighth but Sullivan's line-drive out to shortstop John Giusti ended the inning.
"What happens, happens," Miller said. "I wasn't trying anything special to hit home runs. In the first couple of at-bats, that's what I was trying to do. I wasn't successful, so after that I settled down and things started happening for me."
Shortstop Eric Earnhart led the team with five hits, and third baseman Matt Gard and Miller both had four. Eleven Ball State batters managed at least one hit.
"We came in and knew it was going to be an offensive day," Sullivan said. "The last few days have been ridiculous with the wind."
The Cardinals (15-11) scored eight runs in the bottom of the second but the Crusaders responded with nine in the top of the third.
In the second inning, Ball State scored the old-fashioned way by producing runs through stealing bases, advancing to base on hit by pitches, being walked and base hits. There were only three hits in the half inning, all resulting in runs scored.
Valparaiso powered its way into the lead with three home runs in the third and scored six more runs in the inning.
In the fourth, Ball State re-took the lead for good with seven runs for a 15-9 lead. Designated hitter Justin Rogers, right fielder Brian Meyer, Gard and Earnhart all drove in runs and Miller's foul out also produced a run.
"We got 28 hits so it wasn't like any one guy," Beals said. "It was a team effort. They say hitting is contagious. Well, we got sick of hitting today."
Valparaiso reduced the deficit to three in the sixth but Ball State again blew the game wide-open in the bottom of the inning by scoring six runs for a 21-12 lead. Miller hit his first of three home runs, a three-run shot that scored Gard and Earnhart.
"We knew it was going to be a high-scoring game and every inning, just put up as many runs as you can and never settle with what you got," Miller said.
Miller hit his final home run in the bottom of the eighth with Sullivan on base. The Cardinals tied the school record with three more runs that inning.
Ball State will look for its ninth straight win when it plays at 5 p.m. Friday at Notre Dame. The Cardinals last lost on March 24 to Akron in a 3-2 defeat.
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