The Ball State University baseball team missed some classes on Wednesday afternoon for its game at Indiana State University, but the Sycamores made sure the Cardinals still got a lesson.
Ball State lost 14-6 after giving up eight runs in the first three innings. The loss was its fourth in six games and dropped its record to 11-10. Indiana State improved to 14-9 with six shutout innings from freshman Cordell Greene, who improved to 2-1.
"We were whooped by a good team today," coach Greg Beals said. "We got a good lesson today."
Senior right-hander Adam Quinn (1-2) started the game and gave up four runs in two innings. Beals went into the game planning to use Quinn for only two innings so that the bullpen could get plenty of work. That was complicated when senior left-hander Eric van Matre was ineffective in the third inning, giving up four runs on 26 pitches.
"It's disappointing that we couldn't get quality innings out of our older guys," Beals said. "We sent two seniors out there in hopes of them getting two innings a piece."
Ball State used seven pitchers in the game, four of whom allowed at least three runs in one inning.
Junior right fielder Ryan Chenoweth said the early deficit was difficult as a batter.
"It makes it that much tougher to know we're down to begin with," Chenoweth said. "It was a tough game."
The Cardinals offense didn't do much until late in the game. The Sycamores took a 14-run lead into the eighth inning before the visitors scored six runs. The inning was capped with sophomore shortstop T.J. Baumet's three-run home run.
Beals said he wouldn't look too much into his team's comeback attempt because it came against seldom-used pitchers.
"There are no accolades or congratulations being handed out for that," Beals said. "We didn't do anything to feel good about."
Chenoweth and freshman third baseman Tim Issler were bright spots in Ball State's lineup. Both went 3-for-4 and Chenoweth drove in a run. He said he didn't try to do anything special with his at bats.
"I got fastballs on the corner, and I just went with the pitch," Chenoweth said. "Their pitching staff did a pretty good job."
Beals said Issler did a good job taking advantage of his chance to start.
"He got a chance and he took advantage out there," Beals said.
The freshman has played in 13 games, starting 12 of them, mostly on days when sophomore third baseman/starting pitcher Kolbrin Vitek is pitching. Vitek was the designated hitter Wednesday.
After its latest road disappointment - Ball State is 5-8 on the road - the team returns to Muncie for a three-game series with Mid-American Conference favorite Kent State University beginning Friday. If the Cardinals are able to take one game against the Golden Flashes, Beals will win his 200th game at home against his alma mater.
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