What began as the highway to heaven is now the highway to hell ... or maybe not.
The baseball team, missing the 2003 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year in Brad Snyder because of an injury, lost its tournament opener against fifth-seeded Ohio 14-4. However, because the tournament goes by double elimination, second-seeded Ball State will get a chance to redeem itself and travel to its promised land facing elimination every game.
Ohio opened the first inning with three runs, and Ball State slowly attempted chipping away at that lead, inching to a 4-2 game by the conclusion of the third inning. Ohio broke out the whipping stick in the fifth inning, putting the game away with a five-run period. Another big inning in the eighth was crafted as Ohio secured its lead, scoring four. Ball State started a rally, but could manage only two runs in the bottom of the ninth.
Jason Paul started the game for Ball State. He was retired after 4.1 innings of work, which included an allowance of nine runs, eight of them earned. He also gave up 11 of Ohio's 21 hits on the game. His record now stands at 7-3.
Fortunately for Ball State, the road to the school's fourth MAC championship will continue. It just might be a little tougher than anticipated. It is possible that Snyder might be out for the remainder of the tournament. He suffered a concussion Sunday against Western Michigan in the season finale. Snyder had played in 100 straight games before being sidelined Wednesday.
Ball State must continue whether Snyder plays or not. Today, they will face top-seeded Kent State in a "loser-go-home" game. Interestingly, Kent State, the two-time defending MAC champion, lost its first game to Miami while hosting the tournament.
Most people anticipated a rematch of Ball State and Kent State's game last year for the championship in which Kent State came out on top. Nobody thought they would meet each other following first-round losses.
The advantage seems to be in favor of Ball State in the match-up. This is not the first time Ball State lost its opening-round game. The loss to Ohio is actually the fourth consecutive opening-round loss Ball State has suffered. However, Ball State was able to advance to the title game in two of three years.
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