March 25, 2011
Final Stats
MUNCIE, Ind.-Ball State shortstop T.J. Baumet's bases-loaded single to right center in the ninth inning scored first baseman Blake Beemer and gave the host Cardinals a 2-1 comeback win over visiting Ohio Friday in the league opener for both schools.
Ball State improved to 3-17 with the victory, while Ohio dropped to 11-10.
BSU's two ninth-inning tallies made a winner of Cardinals' starter Cal Bowling (2-1), who was locked in a pitching duel with Ohio pitcher/designated hitter Seth Streich the whole way. Bowling went the distance, giving up a run on just two hits with three strikeouts and three walks.
Streich (0-2) took the loss as he threw eight-plus innings, giving up both runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks.
The Bobcats drew first blood in the contest when Streich's sacrifice fly to center field scored center fielder Ethan Newton, who reached base with a leadoff double to right center.
The game stayed scoreless from that point until the bottom of the ninth, when BSU finally mounted a rally against Streich and reliever Tyler Stage.
Designated hitter Billy Wellman led off the frame with a double to left and Beemer knocked in his pinch runner, Dominic Catanzarite, with a double to right. Streich then gave way to Stage, who got an out, then intentionally walked two batters to load the bases. Following a strikeout of left fielder Kirby Campbell, Baumet saw an 0-2 pitch and deposited it into the outfield for the walk-off victory.
Streich also singled to second in the sixth for the team's other hit. Bobcat left fielder Jensen Painter saw his 14-game hitting streak snapped after an 0-for-3 effort.
Beemer went 3-for-4 on the day for BSU.
The two teams will play the second game of the series Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.
