Kent State University
Ball State University (7 Innings)
Early Leads Slip Away in Sunday Doubleheader Setback
5/8/2022 8:48:00 PM | Baseball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State scored in the first inning during both games of a doubleheader Sunday at Schoonover Stadium, but Ball State rallied to win by scores of 9-5 and 9-3.
GAME ONE: Ball State 9, Kent State 5
Collin Mathews got the offense started with a single in the bottom of the first, and then moved to second on Josh Johnson's walk before scoring on Justin Kirby's double. Johnson then scored to make it 2-0 on a sac fly by Aidan Longwell.
Ball State cut its deficit in half in the second, but Mathews had an answer with a RBI triple to left-center in which he was able to come home and score following a relay throw that went into the dugout for a 4-1 lead.
The Cardinals plated two in the third on a walk, single and double. A solo shot in the fourth tied it at 4-4. Another home run this, one of the three-run variety, highlighted a four-run fifth that gave the visitors their first lead.
Mathews continued to wreak havoc in the bottom of the fifth, reaching on a walk and then scoring on a double by Johnson.
Back-to-back hit batters to start the top of the seventh placed a runner in scoring position and Ball State extended its lead to 9-5.
Justin Miknis doubled in the bottom of the seventh and moved to third on a wild pitch. Kirby followed by drawing a walk and moved to second, but a pair of strikeouts prevented the Flashes from rallying.
Benjamin Cruikshank got the starting assignment on the bump, allowing six runs on six hits over four innings. Collin Romel threw the final three innings and surrendered three runs on three hits. Both hurlers had two strikeouts.
GAME TWO: Ball State 9, Kent State 3
Once again, Collin Mathews singled to lead off the bottom of the first. After stealing second, Mathews moved to third on a single by Justin Miknis. A wild pickoff attempt at first allowed both runners to advance, giving the Flashes a 1-0 lead.
The Cardinals plated two runs in the second and third to go ahead 4-1. The teams traded runs in the sixth, as Justin Kirby scored on a wild pitch.
Ball State led 9-2 heading to the bottom of the ninth, but Hunter Klotz launched his first collegiate homer to left field to get within 9-3.
Starting pitcher Peyton Cariaco (3), and relievers Calvin Bickerstaff (3) and Max Rippl (2) combined for eight strikeouts in the nightcap.
Kent State moves to 17-26 on the season and 12-17 in the MAC. Ball State extended its win streak to 11 games and is now 32-14 overall and 26-4 in conference play. The two teams will wrap up the four-game series with a single, nine-inning game Monday at 12 p.m.
