Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Ball State
Baseball Sweeps Ball State
4/22/2007 6:31:01 PM | Baseball
Eagles erase 3-0 deficit to notch eighth consecutive conference victory
MUNCIE, Ind.
– The Eastern Michigan University baseball team erased a three run deficit to down Ball State, 6-4, for its eighth consecutive Mid-American Conference victory here Sunday afternoon at Ball Diamond. With the series sweep, EMU moved over the .500 mark with a 16-15 overall record and 12-1 MAC clip.After a giving up three runs on two hits in the bottom of the first inning, sophomore pitcher Sean Hoffman (4-0) settled down and limited Ball State (15-24, 4-11 MAC) to one run and four scattered hits to remain undefeated on the year in eight innings of work. Sophomore Matt Shoemaker tossed the final inning to record his second straight save and seventh of the season.
Junior Jeff Hehr led the way for EMU going 2-for-5 with three RBI, one run scored and a two-run home run. Junior Jeff Davis went 1-for-5 with his only hit being a big one as he drove in the winning run in the top of the ninth inning to break a 4-4 tie. Junior Josh Ivan and senior Patrick Dean both hit 2-for-4 with a combined two RBI and a run scored.
Ball State was led by Matt Stoeklen who went 2-for-4 with a home run, RBI and run scored. Kyle Heyne picked up the loss going 2.1 innings allowing two runs on four hits with three strikeouts.
Ball State jumped out to an early lead as the Cardinals tallied three runs on two hits coupled with an EMU error to take a 3-0 lead.
EMU responded in the top of the fourth inning as Ivan led off with a double down the left field line. Hehr followed with a two-run home run over the left field fence. With two outs, Powell singled and was driven in by a Dean double to tie the game at 3-3.
Eastern added another run in the fifth inning as Ivan grounded out to the shortstop which drove in senior Trumaine Riley to put the Eagles up, 4-3. Ball State tied the game, 4-4, in the bottom of the inning on a Stoeklen home run to left field.
In the top of the ninth, Dean led off with his second double of the game. Freshman Kenneth Battiston pinch ran for Dean and was driven in by a Davis single. After an Ivan single, Hehr notched an RBI single to the left side to score Davis and give EMU a 6-4 lead. Shoemaker came in and closed the door on BSU for a 1-2-3 ninth inning to lock up the victory.
The Eagles are slated to return home to Oestrike Stadium Tuesday. April 24, for a non-conference game against Spring Arbor. Game time is 5 p.m.
