Small mistakes throughout the game piled up for the Ball State University baseball team Tuesday as it lost 6-4 at the University of Notre Dame.
After an eight-day layoff because of five cancellations that were caused by rain and snow, the Cardinals (8-9) had trouble shaking off the rust in the loss to the Irish (11-7-1).
"We helped them out a little bit and didn't help ourselves out," coach Greg Beals said.
The Cardinals' problems began early as shortstop Dean Anna was thrown out at third on a fielder's choice after leading off the game with a double to left center.
The base running problems continued in the third for Ball State as second baseman Jeremy Hazelbaker also was thrown out at third base after a leadoff double.
Beals said the base running mistakes hampered Ball State's ability to score runs.
Defensively the Cardinals also had a couple mistakes with two errors in the game: a fielding error at first base by Matt Stoeklen and a throwing error by left fielder Nate Fields in the sixth. The error by Stoeklen did not lead to any runs, but Fields' error allowed the Irish to score an unearned run and extend its lead to 6-2.
Hazelbaker said all the small mistakes, including defensive mistakes, base running mistakes and not getting hits at key times, added up to lead to the loss.
"You can't look over those errors, but it was the game as a whole that cost us," he said.
Beals said Ball State also did not have a great performance on the mound. Four Cardinals' pitchers combined to allow five earned runs, nine hits and four walks.
"I feel like as a whole I wasn't impressed by how we pitched the ball today," the coach said.
Brenden Stines started the game for Ball State and had the longest outing of the four pitchers at three innings. He allowed one run on two hits, two walks and two strikeouts.
Tyler Pritchard, 0-4, was credited with the loss after he relieved Stines. In his one inning of work, Pritchard allowed two runs on one hit and two walks.
Brad Piatt came in next and allowed three runs, including the one unearned run, in his two innings.
Heath Riley finished out the final two innings and allowed no runs on two hits and two strikeouts.
Beals said the reason the pitchers did not see much time was because he wanted to get guys sharp after sitting out for more than a week.
More pitchers will get a chance to get back on the mound as the Cardinals play host to Anderson University at 3 p.m. The game is the home opener.
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