For the second day in a row, Ball State University took a two-run lead against Kent State University into the eighth inning with coach Greg Beals' 200th win on the line.
The bullpen did its job Saturday retiring the final six outs without incident, giving Beals career win No. 200. The 4-2 victory had added importance when Sunday's series finale was canceled due to poor weather conditions.
Beals said he was pleased to have become the fifth coach in program history with 200 wins.
"It means something to me, all the work my staff and players have put in to achieve those 200 wins," Beals said. "It's been a good run here at Ball State. I'm proud to be the head coach here and I'm proud to have won 200 games here."
Beals is in his seventh season as Cardinals' coach after serving as an assistant coach for the Golden Flashes from 1994-2002. He also graduated from Kent State, something he said that he said made the win more special.
"Any win against them is a big win," Beals said. "I have a lot of pride in my alma mater and respect for that coaching staff. To get 200 against them is like icing on the cake."
The two teams split what was supposed to be a three-game series before a wintery mix prevented the tarp from being removed from Ball Diamond on Sunday. After a 30-minute delay, the game was canceled and will not be rescheduled. It is the second game Ball State has lost to the weather this season.
The previous two days were good enough for two of the best teams in the Mid-American Conference to play. The Cardinals jumped out to 2-0 leads in the first inning both days, but Kent State was able to battle back.
Friday afternoon senior first baseman Greg Rohan gave the visitors a lead when he drove a hanging breaking ball off junior reliever Aaron Hammons over the left field fence in the eighth inning. The Cardinals attempted a comeback in the ninth, but ultimately lost 10-9.
Senior starting pitcher Brenden Stines kept the potent Kent State offense down, and Stines improved to 1-3. He was able to overcome four errors behind him, including three in the fourth inning. The Golden Flashes pushed two runs across the plate to tie the game in the fourth, but sophomores Kolbrin Vitek and T.J. Baumet each hit solo home runs to provide the final runs. Junior closer Morgan Coombs earned his second save with a scoreless ninth inning.
Stines said evening the series was crucial.
"[Saturday] was definitely a must win," Stines said. "We put a good ball game together."
The Ball State offense was led all weekend by junior leadoff hitter Jeremy Hazelbaker who went 6-for-8 with three RBIs and three runs. Hazelbaker also became the first Cardinal to hit for the cycle since April 20, 2003, when Ben Schroeder did it against Illinois State University.
"It's really important to get the game started," Hazlebaker said. "It's really important for me to have a good at-bat."
Vitek finished 5-for-8 with five RBIs and two runs.
With the cancellation Sunday, Ball State remains at 12-11 and 3-2 in the MAC and Kent State is 16-6 and 4-1. The Cardinals will return to action Wednesday at the University of Louisville.