CHILLICOTHE, Ohio - In a game short on fundamentals, the Ball State University baseball team was unable to overcome its miscues.
Ohio University defeated Ball State 15-6 in an elimination game at the Mid-American Conference Tournament on Thursday. Ball State committed four errors, leading to five unearned runs. The Cardinals were also thrown out four times attempting to steal and hit three batters.
"The bottom line is we didn't make some plays early in the game," coach Greg Beals said. "It was a bunch of little things."
Starting pitcher Kolbrin Vitek allowed seven runs in six innings, but did not allow an earned run until the seventh. The sophomore struck out five and gave up five hits.
"Kolbrin pitched very well," Beals said. "Once we went to the bullpen, we couldn't find the right thing."
Four relievers combined to allow eight runs on eight hits in 2 1/3 innings. Only senior Eric van Matre did not allow a run in his 2/3 of an inning.
"It didn't go the way we wanted it to," senior Tom Mueller said. "We didn't come out and play our best."
Third baseman Tim Issler had a particularly difficult day. The freshman dropped a pop up with two outs in the fifth inning, allowing the Bobcats to tie the game at three. Issler also opened the game with a throwing error and struck out trying to lay down a sacrifice in the sixth.
"I think he just had a tough day," Beals said. "Tim's been out there quite a bit and he's executed several bunts for us all year."
Issler did lead the Cardinals with three hits.
The Bobcats weren't perfect in the field either, but were able to strand 11 Cardinals on the bases. Ohio made three errors and barely escaped two more.
Ohio was also able to weather an injury to second baseman Zach Keen in the fourth inning. Keen landed awkwardly on first base beating out an error by shortstop T.J. Baumet. Keen has a severely sprained left ankle and is listed day-to-day.
The Bobcats struck first with a two-run first inning off Vitek. Ball State came back to tie it in the third with a two-run double from Vitek. He later ended the inning when he was thrown out trying to come home on the front end of a delayed double steal.
Ball State took a 3-2 lead the next inning when Bryce Butler threw away a pickoff attempt of Ryan Chenoweth, who was able to score from second. The base running troubles continued in the inning when Baumet was gunned down attempting to steal third.
The Bobcats tied the game in the fifth and retook the lead for good in the sixth with a two-run home run from Jeremie Rehak, who replaced Keen.
Ohio right fielder Hayden Johnston went 5-for-5 with a grand slam, three doubles and three runs.
"He is a great hitter and we didn't make great pitches," Beals said.
Vitek finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs. His double gave him 25 for the season, tying Ball State's single-season record.
Ball State, the West Division champions in the regular season, tacked on a run in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, but Ohio answered with 10 of its own.
"It's tough coming back as many times as we did," Mueller said. "Once we go up, whether we're pitching or hitting, we need to act like we have it. We need to bury them."
Mueller and six other seniors won't have another chance with the Cardinals.
"I want to thank all of my teammates," Mueller said. "It was a hell of a ride."
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