MUNCIE, Ind. – Chicago State baseball managed to snap a 16-game losing streak dating back to the end of last season as it produced a 3-0 shutout victory Sunday afternoon over Ball State in the series finale for both teams. The Cougars improve to 1-15 on the season, while the Cardinals fell to 9-7.
The first five innings served as a pitcher's duel between CSU senior William Lawrence (Harvey, IL/Thornwood HS) (Harvey, Ill.) and BSU freshman Justin Warrington before the Cougars broke the scoreless tie in the sixth inning to claim a 1-0 lead. Redshirt freshman Albert Carpen (Whiting, IN/Clark) (Whiting, Ind.) led off with an infield single followed by junior Austin McDowell (Coal City, IL/Olney Central College) (Coal City, Ill.) reaching base on a throwing error. McDowell then scored on the next play thanks to an RBI fielder's choice from senior Patrick Hernandez (Romeoville, IL/Triton CC) (Romeoville, Ill.).
Two more runs crossed the plate for the Cougars with two outs in the eighth inning to increase their advantage to 3-0. McDowell started the rally with a single to left field and advanced to third following another infield throwing error which also put Hernandez on base. Both runners later scored on a two-RBI single through the right side by senior Preston Pires (Waipahu, HI/Kalani HS) (Waipahu, Hawai'i) to end the scoring.
McDowell went 2-for-3 at the plate to pace CSU on the offensive end, while Pires hit 1-for-4 with two RBI. Lawrence improved to 1-0 on the season after pitching seven shutout innings and allowed only two hits, while walking four and striking out two batters.
The Cardinals were led by junior Eric Chenowith with a 2-for-4 offensive effort with a double. Senior Eric Van Matre (0-1) took the loss after allowing one run on one hit in an inning of work.
CSU heads west to California this week to begin its spring break trip beginning Tuesday evening at No. 25 San Jose State at Matador Field with a start time of 6 p.m., Pacific Standard Time.
~CSU~
