Down one run with a runner on first, University of Indianapolis' Daren Johnson, who already hit two home runs in the game, hit a deep fly ball to right center field. The ball fell into right fielder Kory Benbow's mitt just before the warning track. On the mound for the Cardinals, closer Kyle Heyne collected his seventh save of the season.
"It's intense and there's a lot of pressure to it," Heyne said. "I love being in pressure situations. It's special, it's fun, it's what I love to do."
Heyne now has 21 career saves, putting him three behind Ball State's record of 24 held by Ron Schrock.
The Cardinals won 8-7 to improve to 11-12 on the season. Richie Fralick started on the mound for the Cardinals. He pitched five innings, allowing two runs and three hits while striking out four. Both runs came off Johnson's solo home runs in the second and fourth innings.
"We had it mapped out to get Fralick five innings," Ball State coach Greg Beals said. "Richie pitched well and gave us a quality start."
The Cardinals led 8-2 after the fifth inning, but relief pitcher Jay Broughton allowed five runs in the seventh inning making it a one-run game.
"We were hoping to not have to use Heyne, but as it turned out, with a one-run ball game it was Heyne-time for the save," Beals said.
Heyne has pitched three and two-third innings in three appearances in the Cardinals' last four games.
"It's a lot of stress on your arm when you throw a lot like that," Heyne said. "It's easier on a starter. They know exactly when they are going to pitch."
Despite the heavy workload, Beals said Heyne should be fine for the weekend series at the University of Miami as long as he doesn't have to pitch today against Purdue University.
"If we have to use him tomorrow it could get into the weekend a little bit," Beals said. "If he has Wednesday and Thursday off he will be fine for Friday."
The Cardinals hit three home runs in the game including a grand slam off of Joe Mack's bat. It was Mack's first home run of his career.
"It was cool to finally get that off my chest," Mack said. "He gave me a fastball first pitch on the inner half."
Kory Benbow hit the Cardinals' first home run to right-center field followed by Jeremy Hazelbaker's bomb to right field. Beals said there are a couple reasons the Cardinals have been able to hit a total of seven home runs in their last four games.
"It takes hitters time to get settled into the season and get comfortable," Beals said. "Our ball park is an offensive ball park with the wind having a tendency to blow out. All that lends itself to being able to hit home runs."
Beals used a lot of his bench against Indianapolis. Nate Fields started in left field, his fourth start of the season; Joe Mack started at first base, his third start of the season; Mark Isenberg got his first start in center field, and Jordan Goodpaster got his first start at catcher.
"Freshness is the key," Beals said. "We got to keep everybody sharp. The bench players need playing time to stay sharp and it gives our starters plenty of rest so they can stay sharp too."
However, Beals said he expects to have the normal starting line-up when they play Purdue today.
"The regular starting line-up will be in [today] to get them ready for the weekend," Beals said.
Beals also said Brad Piatt will be the starting pitcher against Purdue. So far this season Piatt is 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA in six appearances including two starts, striking out 12 and walking seven in 16 innings.
Beals said the strength for Purdue is their ability to prevent opponents from scoring.
"They pitch and play pretty good defense," Beals said. "They're a solid ball club."
Beals said Ball State must play to their strengths in order to pick up the victory today.
"They don't really have any weaknesses; the key for [today] is going out and play[ing] good Ball State baseball," Beals said. "If we're able to play our good game, our pitchers are able to throw strikes, make a couple big plays on defense, and make a couple big hits and we'll be fine."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
