Sports
Baseball: Ohio Splits Doubleheader With Ball State, Win Streak Snapped
By: Sara Nealeigh
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The Bobcats defeated the Ball State Cardinals 11-9 in the first of two games played Sunday before falling in the second game 4-3.
The ‘Cats gained the lead in the first game early, scoring nine runs in the first four innings. In the first inning, an RBI single from Jensen Painter brought home Ethan Newton for the first run of the game. Painter had just one RBI in the game but led the team in runs, bringing in three for the ‘Cats. Kyle Dean hit his second home run of the season in the second inning, adding to the Bobcats’ lead, 2-0.
The Cardinals were able to score two runs in the third, but the Bobcats answered, doubling the number of runs already scored. An RBI from Scott White brought in Painter, which led to two additional runs for the Bobcats, increasing their lead to 6-2.
The fourth and fifth innings brought an even bigger lead for Ohio. The ‘Cats added four runs to give themselves a 10-2 lead, unanswered by Ball State until the seventh inning. In the seventh the Cardinals brought in two runs, but Ball State gave the Bobcats their biggest worry during the eighth; scoring five runs, the Cardinals brought the score to 10-9. But Ohio would hold on and answer with a run of its own on an RBI single from Ian Mezlak to bring in Jake Madsen for the final run of the game. With the Cardinals run-less in the ninth, the game ended in a Bobcat victory 11-9.
In game two, Ohio was much more quiet offensively, going four innings without a run scored. The Bobcats allowed two runs in the third when Ball State’s Mitch Widau singled to bring home two with two outs. In the fifth, Ohio scored when Mezlak singled to bring home Cody Gaertner for the first run of the game.
After giving up another run in the top of the sixth, Ohio tied the game at 3-3 in the home half with a two RBI single by Gaertner. Ohio would not cash in on a chance to do more damage, though, as two runners were left on base after a fielder’s choice to end the inning.
In the top of the seventh, starting pitcher Seth Streich showed some loss of control as he walked Elbert Devaire to lead off the inning. Devaire would advance to second on a passed ball and score the decisive run on a Sean Godfrey RBI single. Streich had exited the game at that point, but he remained responsible for the winning run and picked up the loss. In the bottom of the seventh, Ohio would again leave two runners on base as Painter flied out deep to the left field warning track to end the inning. The Bobcats would not pick up another hit the rest of the game.
Game two was all about missed opportunities for Ohio, who had its MAC win streak snapped at seven games after the loss. The Bobcats left a total of six runners on base—four in the sixth and seventh innings. After splitting the doubleheader Sunday, Ohio is 18-17 on the year and second in the MAC with an 8-4 conference record. Ohio plays at Youngstown St. on Tuesday.