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A two-out three-run ninth inning rally
gave CMU a come from behind victory against Ball State
at the Mid-American Conference Tournament in Oxford, Ohio
today.
The victory gives CMU a 2-0 record in
the double-elimination tournament and extends the MAC
winning streak to 17 games.
"Our guys showed tremendous heart
coming back against Ball State," said CMU coach Steve
Jaksa. "We had four consecutive hits with two outs
against two very good pitchers. The guys played hard all
game and never quit, which allowed us to pick a big win."
The game was tied at five going into
the ninth inning. Ball State scored two runs in the top
of the ninth to take a 7-5 lead.
Sophomore Eric Cannon was hit by a pitch
by Ball State pitcher Ben Snyder to lead of the bottom
of the ninth. Snyder then recorded consecutive outs, which
brought junior Brian Campbell to bat. An RBI single from
Campbell scored Cannon and put CMU within one. A single
from junior Troy Moratti advanced Campbell. Pinch-hitter
senior David LaTour singled to score Campbell and tie
the game at seven.
An RBI single from senior Jim Geldhof
scored Moratti and gave CMU the 8-7 victory.
"Being able to get the game winning
hit off of the MAC pitcher of the year (Erik Morrison)
was awesome," Geldhof said. "Snyder had pitched
me tough all game and had me a little off balanced, so
it was nice to be able to come through and get a big off
Morrison to win the game."
Sophomore Bryan Mitzel led all hitters
going 3-3 with two homeruns and three RBI.
"Mitzel kept us in the game,"
Geldhof said. "He had three huge hits that kept us
alive and put us in position to be in it at the end of
the game."
Campbell also contributed going 2-4 with
a home run and two RBI.
Sophomore James Ricchio recorded the
win throwing two innings and allowing two earned runs.
Snyder recorded the loss throwing 8 2/3
innings, with eight earned runs.
CMU will play MAC Champions Miami, Ohio
tomorrow morning. The top seeded Redhawks come into the
game at 2-0 in tournament play.
Senior Jason Cairns is Friday's starter.
Cairns comes into the game at 7-5 with a 3.32 ERA.
"It has been a great tournament
thus far," Jaksa said. "The games have been
so competitive and everyone has battled so hard. Our guys
will be ready to put up a fight against Miami and hopefully
get the victory."
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