The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Ball State
Baseball Falls in Extras on Saturday to Ball State, 4-3
May 03 | Baseball
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AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron (23-22, 10-10 MAC) baseball team came back for three runs in the ninth to tie the game, but fell to Ball State University (31-15, 15-4 MAC) in the 11th inning by a final score of 4-3 on Saturday afternoon at Lee R. Jackson Field in game two of the three-game Mid-American Conference series.
Sophomore JT Brubaker made a masterful start on Saturday afternoon, tossing 7.0 shutout innings with four hits allowed and five strikeouts. Brubaker earned a no-decision in the loss.
A pitcher's duel controlled most of the game as Brubaker battled Ball State's Scott Baker from the outset. Both teams had just one hit through the first four innings.
Redshirt junior Jon Pusateri came out of the bullpen to take over for Brubaker in the top of the eighth inning. The Cardinals broke through the scoreless tie with two runs in the eighth on a RBI single by Ryan Spaulding and a RBI double by Kyle Raliegh off Pusateri, which made it 2-0 BSU.
Sophomore Zach Beaver relieved Pusateri with two outs in the eighth, and ended the Cardinals rally with a swinging strikeout. However, Beaver would allow one run in the ninth on a run-scoring single by BSU's Alex Call to give the Cardinals a 3-0 advantage.
Heading into the ninth the Zips had just two hits all game, but redshirt junior Matt LaRocca and sophomore Daulton Mosbarger registered back-to-back singles to lead off the frame. Redshirt senior James Sheltrown notched his team-leading 14th hit by pitch of the season to load the bases.
Sophomore Billy Salem drove in the Zips first run of the game on a bases-loaded walk to reduce the Ball State lead to 3-1. Redshirt junior Devan Ahart followed with a sacrifice fly to left, plating Mosbarger from third base and cutting the Cardinals lead to one.
Down to the final out of the game, redshirt senior Brady Stewart delivered a clutch line drive single to centerfield, which tied the game at 3-3.
Following a mild rain delay, LaRocca took over on the mound at the outset of the 10th. The Stony Brook, N.Y., native worked a scoreless frame in the 10th, but allowed a solo homer in the 11th to BSU's Alex Maloney to bring the game to its final score of 4-3. LaRocca was handed the loss, dropping his record to 0-2 in 2014.
The Zips did not back down once again in the bottom of the 11th as the squad loaded the bases on back-to-back walks by Ahart and Simonton and a hit by pitch to freshman Dom Iero. Meeker sent a chopper to second, but was retired at first to end the game two matchup.
Offensively, Akron recorded six base hits and three walks in the loss on Saturday. Salem filled up his stat line with one hit, one RBI and a walk. Ahart went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base, his 26th of the season. LaRocca and Mosbarger had one hit and one run scored apiece during the game.
