Ball State defeated Bowling Green State University 32-10 Saturday but lost the series finale Sunday. Despite a 9-3 loss that cost the Cardinals (13-17, 7-2) their second conference sweep in as many weekends, they were happy with their results.
Ball State defeated Bowling Green State University 32-10, setting the school record for most runs, hits (29) and at bats (58) in a game. The previous runs record was 31, which the Cardinals (13-16, 7-1) had done twice, most recently in 2006.
Ball State (12-16) opened a three-game series at Bowling Green State University with a 12-6 victory Friday. The Cardinals beat reigning MAC Pitcher of the Year Brennan Smith (1-4) with a big offensive day. They had 18 hits and scored 12 runs, despite stranding 17 runners.
Bowling Green (8-15-1, 2-4) will be looking to turn around their disappointing season against Ball State (11-16, 5-1) when the three-game series begins today at 3 p.m.
With Opening Day for the Minor Leagues today, center fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker will return to the Boston Red Sox Class A affiliate in Greenville, S.C., and shortstop Dean Anna will open the year with San Diego Padres' Class A team in Fort Wayne. Four other former Cardinals are also playing in the minor leagues, including former first round draft picks Bryan Bullington and Brad Snyder, who are in AAA.
The loss snapped the Cardinals' four-game winning streak and was its first loss to Indiana in five games dating back to 1998.
Ball State heads to Indiana for a nonconference game with a four-game winning streak on the line.
Ball State completed a three-game sweep of Miami on Sunday with a 17-8 victory. The Cardinals (11-15, 5-1) have won both MAC series this year and are on a four-game winning streak.
A notebook from Ball State's home opening series against Miami.
Rain has delayed the start to Saturday's game between Ball State University and Miami University.
The Cardinals (10-15) scored six in the fourth inning and coasted to their third-straight victory. Starting pitcher Cal Bowling (1-3) took advantage of the big inning for his first win of the season. RedHawks starter Brooks Fiala (2-2) took the loss.
Ball State has won back-to-back games for the first time this season. It will look to win its second consecutive series today at 1 p.m. with Cal Bowling on the hill.
Since the season began Feb. 19, the Cardinals (8-15) have played all 23 games on the road, visiting teams in seven states. So the team is understandably excited about its home opener Friday at 3 p.m. against Miami University (11-12).
Kolbrin Vitek shutout the Bobcats for seven innings, allowing just two hits for his first victory of the season. That game, combined with him going 6-for-12 with three runs and two RBIs in the series, netted Vitek national player of the week honors from Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
Ball State (8-15) took two out of three games at Ohio University for their first series victory of the season. The Cardinals are tied for first in the MAC West with the three other teams who won twice this weekend.
The win secured Ball State's first series victory of the year to open the Mid-American Conference season. The Cardinals (8-15) split the first two games of the weekend, winning 10-1 Friday, before dropping the first game Saturday 4-2 and winning the second game 4-0.
The Cardinals (7-14) have played one of the hardest schedules in the country this year and the Bobcats (2-16) were a welcome relief from the top-15 teams that have populated Ball State's schedule.
Kolbrin Vitek's phenomenal performance gave Ball State University a 4-0 victory at Ohio University in game two of a doubleheader.
Gauntlett Eldemire hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning to give the hosts a 4-2 win in Game One against Ball State. Reliever Scott Brothers (1-1) served up the long ball and took the loss.
Ball State travels to Ohio for a three-game series, ready to start playing MAC competition.
