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ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio baseball team (27-22, 18-18 MAC) split a four-game Mid-American Conference series with Ball State (34-8, 25-11 MAC) after winning the finale, 9-7, on Sunday (May 23), sending its 2021 senior class out with a win in their final game at Bob Wren Stadium.

Senior second baseman Treyben Funderburg (Beavercreek, Ohio) started the action for Ohio in the second inning with a double that scored a run to give the Bobcats a 1-0 lead. Ball State would take back the lead with runs in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings, however, giving the Cardinals a 5-3 advantage.

Going into the bottom of the seventh, the Bobcats trailed by two runs until senior catcher Tanner Piechnick (Canonsburg, Pa.) cleared the bases with a two-run double. Piechnick then took the lead back when he scored off a wild pitch. The Bobcats continued the big inning with a solo home run from graduate student first baseman Harry Witwer-Dukes (Monmouth, Ore.), punctuating the four-run rally in the frame.

"Words can't describe when you're out there, especially on senior day," Piechnick said. "The last game you're playing at The Wren, to drive in two RBIs and tie the game, then score the run to take the lead is a great feeling."

Ohio added two more runs for insurance in the eighth inning to extend the lead to four. Ball State got two runs back in the top of the ninth before Edward Kutt IV (Westlake, Calif.) closed the game for the final time this season at home, picking up his fifth save of the year.

Senior pitcher Brett Manis (Port Huron, Mich.) earned the win on the mound for the Bobcats after pitching for three innings of relief and striking out seven to improve to 3-1 on the year.

Three Bobcats accounted for six of Ohio's 10 hits, with Funderburg leading the way by going 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Senior center fielder Sebastian Fabik (Lebanon, Ohio) went 2-for-2 with a pair of walks and three runs scored while redshirt junior right fielder Michael Richardson (Cambridge, Md.) registered a pair of singles and scored a run.

The Bobcats will finish their season next weekend with a four-game series at Western Michigan starting on Friday (May 28).

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