Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Ball State
Ball State Routs CMU, 24-2
3/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 28, 2003
MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State University pounded out 23 hits and scored the most runs ever against Central Michigan University in a Mid-American Conference baseball game, rolling to a 24-2 win here Friday.
It was the MAC opener for both teams with CMU falling to 5-11 for the season and the Cardinals going to 12-6. Wind gusts as high as 40 miles-per-hour made for an interesting contest.
In addition to the 23 hits off four Chippewa hurlers, the Cardinals took advantage of five walks, four errors, seven wild pitches, one passed ball, and one hit batsman in the lopsided win.
Ball State scored twice in the first inning off Chippewa starter Joey Fahndrich, only one was earned as the Cardinals took advantage of a passed ball.
Ball State scored five more runs in the third on a pair of wind-blown homers to left, balls that would normally have been easy outs. Brad Snyder hit a three-run dinger and Brad Miller a two-run round-tripper for a 7-0 lead.
The Cardinals added two more in the fourth frame on a pair of solo homers by Lucas Fry and James Nowicki, Fry's being a solid belt to left center.
Ball State then scored 10 runs in the fifth off two CMU hurlers to take a 19-0 lead. The Cardinals banged out eight hits and took advantage of three CMU errors, two walks and a hit batter. Fahndrich, who gave up 13 runs on 10 hits, was relieved by Chris Schell. Schell allowed six runs on six hits on one inning. Both hurlers were tapped for one unearned run.
The Chippewas finally got on the board in the sixth on a double by Jeff LaFavors Jr., an RBI single by Mike Gates, and an RBI double by Jim Geldhof.
Adam Sutherland gave up three runs in two innings of relief for CMU while Nick Patterson pitched the final frame and gave up two more.
Ball State senior Jason Paul was sharp in his seven innings of work, handcuffing the Chippewas on eight hits and giving up both runs to improve his record to 4-1.
The two teams are slated to play two games here on Saturday at 1 p.m. However, the potential of inclement weather may make those games difficult to play.
