Bowling Green Stymied In Series Opening Loss

Friday, March 20

Bowling Green, Ohio

3:05 pm ET

Bowling Green State University

5-11, 0-1

Ball State

13-7, 1-0

Ball State

Bowling Green

March 20, 2015 | Baseball

Box Score

By: by Scott Swegan, BGSU Athletic Communications

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BOWLING GREEN, Ohio—The Bowling Green State University baseball team managed just three hits in a 7-0 loss to Ball State on Friday afternoon. The series opener at Warren E. Steller Field was the first Mid-American Conference game of the season for both teams. With the win, Ball State improves to 13-7 on the season and 1-0 in MAC play. The Falcons drop to 5-11 overall and 0-1 in conference action with the loss.

"Today it was all (Zach) Plesac, he was very impressive," head coach Danny Schmitz said. "We preach the three phases – hitting, pitching and defense – and today they had all three. I was pleased with the outing that Devin Daugherty gave us out of the bullpen, he really held the fort."

The Cardinals dominated for much of the night, winning their sixth consecutive game with a 17-hit performance. After two scoreless innings to begin the game, Ball State got on the board with four runs in the top of the third inning. A one-out single started the Cardinals' rally, and was followed by a stolen base and hit-by-pitch to put two runners on with one away. Two straight singles and a sacrifice fly gave the visitors a 2-0 lead, but there were two outs with runners on second and third. The next batter hit it hard to third base, but the ball popped out of the defender's glove, caroming into left field and allowing two more runs to score—both unearned.

BSU extended their lead to 5-0 in the top of the fourth, all of the damage coming after two batters were out. A double to left center started the rally, and a walk and single brought in the Cardinals' fifth run of the afternoon. Ball State then made it 6-0 in the top of the sixth with a two-out single past the left side of the infield.

Kory Brown doubled with one out in the bottom of the sixth—just BGSU's second hit of the afternoon. After Brian Bien reached on an error to put two Falcons on base, Ball State starting pitcher Zach Plesac got a double play to end the Bowling Green threat.

Plesac, a season after being named MAC Freshman of the Year, was impressive against the Falcons in Friday's game. The sophomore, who was also named National Freshman Pitcher of the Year a season ago, went the distance in the 7-0 win allowing just three hits while striking out eight.

The two teams will return to the field on Saturday to conclude their series with a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Steller Field.