The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Ball State
Baseball Falls to Ball State in Series Finale, 7-4
April 05 | Baseball
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MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State posted a three-run seventh inning to break a 3-all tie and defeat the University of Akron baseball team, 7-4, on Sunday in the series finale at Ball Diamond in the First Merchants Ballpark Complex.
The loss marks the Zips' first Mid-American Conference series loss of the season as the Cardinals won two of three games. Akron moves to 13-16 on the season and 5-4 in the MAC. Ball State improved to 21-10 overall and 7-2 in conference action.
Akron starter Jon Pusateri (3-3) was tagged with the loss after tossing 6.1 innings and holding the Cardinals to two hits and no earned runs through his first five innings of work. On the day, the righty allowed just four hits and five runs, two of which were earned. Pusateri walked three and fanned six.
Ball State jumped on the board first as the Cardinals claimed a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. An Akron miscue and an RBI double combined to hand the Cardinals the advantage.
"Jon didn't have a good feel for his pitches in the first inning and if we make the play with two outs, he comes out unscathed. To his credit, Jon buckled down and shut them out the rest of his time," said head coach Rick Rembielak. "We came back from the three runs down to tie and kept competing."
An RBI double off the bat of junior designated hitter Daulton Mosbarger plated freshman infielder Alex Dirienzo in the third inning for Akron's first run.
The Zips posted a two-run fourth inning beginning with an RBI double from sophomore catcher Brian Lees, who improved to an eight-game hit streak. A sacrifice fly from junior infielder Billy Salem then scored the equalizing run.
BSU's Alex Call managed a three-run double in the bottom of the seventh inning to put the game out of reach of the Zips at 6-3.
Each team scored an additional run before the conclusion of the game. Akron's came on an RBI single from redshirt junior infielder Gerrad Rohan as part of a three-hit effort in the ninth frame.
Overall, UA out-hit the Cardinals, 11-6, while the Zips posted one error. Sophomore infielder Dom Iero led Akron with two hits.
The win went to Ball State reliever Colin Brockhouse (3-0) who threw the final 3.1 innings for the Cardinals and allowed three hits, one run and struck out five. On offense, Brockhouse also registered two hits and three RBI.
Akron is back in action when it hosts Pittsburgh at Lee R. Jackson Field for a midweek matchup on Tuesday, April 7. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
