A 3-0 loss to Chicago State University on Sunday sends the Ball State University baseball team back to where it started Spring Break, two games above .500.
The Cardinals went 5-5 during three series and improved their record to 9-7. Sunday's loss prevented the Cardinals from sweeping their home-opening series, after splitting two games at Southern Illinois University and dropping three of four at the University of Missouri.
"We expected to come out and win all four," junior right fielder Ryan Chenoweth said. "We just couldn't get it done."
Chenoweth was 2-for-4 with a double Sunday, collecting all but one of Ball State's hits.
Coach Greg Beals said his team was unable to adjust to Cougars starter William Lawrence.
"We were out in front of everything," Beals said. "At no point today did we stay back and take quality swings."
Lawrence's seven shutout innings led Chicago State to its first win of the season, sending their record to 1-15.
Freshman starting pitcher Justin Warrington allowed no runs on three hits in five innings. Ball State's bullpen allowed three runs that were all unearned.
"Warrington gave us a chance to win if we'd done anything offensively," Beals said.
The Cardinals were hurt by three errors, all leading to runs.
Warrington's effort continued the good starting pitching the Cardinals had all series. In Friday's home opener, junior Brad Piatt pitched seven shutout innings and allowed one hit to improve to 3-0.
In the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, freshman Cal Bowling won his second game of the week, pitching five innings and allowing four runs, though only one was earned. Bowling earned his first win Tuesday against Southern Illinois in relief of Warrington.
"Bowling was sharp yesterday and was very good at Southern Illinois midweek," Beals said. "I felt real good about the way he's progressing."
The improvement of Warrington and Bowling might have increased importance as senior starting pitcher Brenden Stines struggled in both his starts during Spring Break. Stines lasted 3 1/3 innings against Missouri, giving up three runs before he was removed. Wednesday at Southern Illinois, Stines gave up eight runs, two earned, on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings.
Stines pitched one inning Sunday, setting three Cougars down in order with 11 pitches and two strikeouts.
The Cardinals' first home series was also their last nonconference weekend. The Mid-American Conference season begins Friday when the University of Akron visits Ball Diamond.
Chenoweth said he was pleased with the Cardinals' last stretch of nonconference action.
"I think it went pretty well," Chenoweth said. "We faced good competition down at Missouri. We saw a big time conference and what they have to offer. This series was good until today."
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
