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What appeared to be a walk in the park turned into a fight for survival as the Ball University Cardinals battled the Black Bears from the University of Maine. The Cardinals would earn a one run victory in the end, but the Black Bears made them fight for it.
Through the first six innings the Cardinals were in total control but the Black Bears came roaring back in the top of the seventh. Up 6-1 the Cardinals pitching staff ran into control issues giving up four runs in the top of the seventh which helped fuel a Black Bears rally. Coach Rich Maloney called on Senior Scott Baker to stop the bleeding. With bases loaded and two outs and the Black Bears closing in Maloney was confident in his choice. “He’s one of our best pitchers, and he has been outstanding all year,” Maloney said.
Baker is primarily a starting pitcher, but he said he was ready to come in if the situation arose. “Coach had told me before the game that if it was a close game I would be used…it is nice coach has that confidence in me” He delivered, striking out the first batter he faced. Baker would finish the game and record the save (1).
At the plate the Cardinals were led by Matt Eppers. Eppers would account for six of the Cardinal’s eight runs. The sophomore outfielder went two for four with three RBIs and scored three times. Another stand out at the plate junior Scott Tyler went two for two with two RBIs.
The Cardinals (6-5) will face off against Northwestern University this Friday at 5 p.m. in their second game of the Snowbird Classic in Port Charlotte, Florida.
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