MUNCIE, Ind. – Chicago State baseball kicked off a four-game weekend series against Ball State Friday afternoon as the Cougars (0-13) dropped a 10-1 decision to the host Cardinals (7-6) at Ball Diamond in Muncie, Ind.
After the first two innings went scoreless, BSU struck in the third inning with five runs, highlighted by a two-run triple by sophomore Kolbrin Vitek. The Cardinals also got RBI singles from freshman Ian Nielsen and junior Kory Benbow.
The home team's lead increased to 7-0 in the fifth inning after following an RBI infield groundout by sophomore T.J. Baumet that scored Nielsen, who reached base with a double and advanced to third on an error. Two plays later, junior Jeremy Hazelbaker posted a run-scoring single to plate redshirt junior Ryan Chenowith.
The Cardinals added a pair of runs in the seventh inning that hiked their leading margin to 9-0. The inning started with Etchinson hitting an RBI single that brought home Nielsen, who led off the inning with a walk. Freshman Nathan Koontz lined a single to left field on the next play and later scored on Tim Issler's sacrifice fly to right field.
CSU got on the board in the top of the eighth inning when senior Jeremy Perez (Chicago, IL/Univ. of Dubuque) (Chicago, Ill.) brought home freshman William Hill (Wheaton, Ill./Glenbard South) (Wheaton, Ill.), who drew a leadoff walk, from third base to slice its deficit at 9-1. Koontz connected a double to left center in the bottom of the eighth inning that scored Nielsen, who reached base via a fielder's choice, which provided the final margin.
Vitek paced BSU with 3-of-4 with two triples and two RBI, while Hazelbaker, Nielsen and Koontz each recorded two hits apiece. Junior Brad Piatt (3-0) captured the win for the Cardinals after striking out eight and walking one while allowing one hit in seven innings thrown.
Seniors Matt Haug (Plymouth, IN/Ancilla CC) (Plymouth, Ind.) and Kellon McFarlin (Chicago, IL/Meramec CC) (Chicago, Ill.) each recorded a hit to lead CSU offensively. Freshman James Tucker (Gary, IN/Calumet) (Gary, Ind.) dropped to 0-5 this season after giving up seven runs (three earned) on 10 hits in addition to posting five strikeouts and two walks in six innings of work.
The two teams will meet in a doubleheader at Ball Diamond tomorrow afternoon starting at 12 Noon, central time.
~CSU~
