Eagles Fall in Series Finale, 12-4

Box score

MUNCIE, Ind, — The Eastern Michigan University baseball team could not overcome a six-run fourth inning by Ball State University, falling 12-4, here Sunday afternoon, May 4, at the Ball Diamond in Muncie, Ind. The Eagles took an early 4-1 lead before the Cardinals offense kicked into action. Senior Josh Ivan (Belleville, Mich.-Belleville) lead the Green and White on the day, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored.

With the loss, EMU falls to 17-29, 12-6 MAC while the Cardinals improve to 26-17, 11-7 MAC.

Starter Jake Stapf (Hamilton, Ohio-Stephen T. Badin) was charged with the loss on the day. Stapf (1-3) gave up seven runs on six hits, striking out three while walking three in three innings of work. Ivan’s 3-for-4 performance at the plate also included a fourth-inning home run which put the Eagles up 4-1 at the time.

The Cardinals opened up scoring one in the bottom of the first. Lead-off hitter Dean Anna singled to center field to open the inning. Anna then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Andrew Marshall (Mason, Mich.-Mason). A ball four, passed ball to Wayne Bond allowed Anna to scramble home for the first run of the game.

In the Eastern Michigan second, senior Jeff Davis (Avondale, Ariz.-Westview) quickly evened the score at 1-1, hammering his fifth home run of the year and his second in as many days over the center-field wall.

Ball State again threatened in the second as Ryan Chenoweth drew a walk while Nate Fields reached on an error by third baseman Zack Leonard (Canton, Ohio-McKinley). Stapf was able to pitch his way out of the jam, striking out T.J. Baumet and getting Anna to fly out to center field to end the inning.

After taking three innings off, the Green and White bats picked up where they left off yesterday, scoring three runs on three hits to take a 4-1 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth. After Davis walked, Ivan cleared the bases with his fourth home run of the season, a deep shot to left. Leonard then singled and stole second before being driven in by a Jim Gulliver (Allen Park, Mich.-Allen Park) single to center.

BSU exploded in the bottom half of the fourth, scoring six runs on five hits to take a 7-4 lead. Chenoweth was hit by a pitch before Nate Fields hit his first home run of the series, cutting the Eagle lead to one at 4-3. Alex Schmid then doubled to right center and scored on a Bond fielder’s choice, tying the game at four. Rogers doubled down the left-field line before Dygert smashed a homer to left center, ending Stapf’s day. Junior Bobby Henderson (Milford, Mich.-Detroit Catholic) was brought in and quickly ended the inning, striking out Chenoweth.

The Cardinals increased their lead to 10-4 in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of a Dygert three-run home run to left field. Back-to-back singles by Bond and Rogers put Henderson in trouble before Dygert forced EMU to again turn to the pen. Freshman Tim Combs (Dayton, Ohio-Wayne) relieved Henderson and retiring three of four batters faced to end the inning.

Ball State added two more in the bottom of the eighth, pushing its lead to 12-4. The Eagles offense remained idle as the Cardinals were able to prevent a late game rally, holding the Eagles scoreless over the final five innings.

The Eagles will be in action this week, traveling to Bowling Green, Ohio, Tuesday, May 6, for a single game against the Falcons. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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