Two big innings spelled defeat for the Illinois State baseball team Sunday. Ball State scored seven runs in the bottom of the third and tacked on nine more in the sixth on the way to a 16-1 win over the Redbirds at the Austin Peay Governors Classic.
The win gave Ball State (3-0) the tournament crown. The Cardinals (4-2 overall) finished the day with 17 hits, including five doubles, off five Illinois State pitchers. Starter Heath Heiberger (0-1), who lasted just 2.1 innings, took the pitching loss after allowing five runs on five hits and four walks.
ISU (5-2) got two hits each from Ryan Cantrell and Mike Saunches, and a double from Jim Chiapetta. Kevin O'Dell drove in the only run with an single in the top of the ninth.
Jason Paul (2-0), who shut out the Redbirds on six hits over the first six innings, was the winning pitcher.
