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Pitchers Own Day Three Of MAC Tournament


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After offense dominated the first day of the Mid-American Conference Tournament, rain washed away all production on that side of the plate. 75 runs were scored on the first day of action while only 23 were scored after rain delayed Thursday’s action.

The final four were set with Ball State, Kent State, Bowling Green and Toledo all earning tickets to the semifinals with victories Friday.

Game No. 7: No. 4 Ball State 3 – No. 1 Kent State 1

The top-seeded Golden Flashes failed to push a run across until the final inning of play, but it was not enough to match the Cardinals. Three errors plagued Kent State along with bad luck at the plate. Ball State’s T.J. Weir earned a complete game, hurling a whopping 142 pitches in the victory.

Game No. 8: No. 6 Bowling Green 4 – No. 7 Toledo 3

Matt Pitzulo grounded to shortstop in the eighth inning with a runner on third. A bobbled ball allowed Pitzulo to reach safely and the winning run to score for Bowling Green. Yet another pitcher went the distance in this MAC Tournament with the Falcons’ Mike Frank going the distance. He walked no batters and struck out five.

Game No. 9: No. 1 Kent State 7 – No. 5 Miami (OH) 0

After waiting in vain for rain to pass Thursday night, Miami picked up where it left off Friday at 9 a.m. against Central Michigan. As if a rain delay lasting more than 17 hours was not enough, the game went to extra innings, perhaps tiring the RedHawks out for their second game of the day against top-seeded Kent State. The Golden Flashes held down the Miami offense Friday evening, allowing eight hits. Casey Wilson tossed a complete game shutout and second baseman Derek Toadvine led the Flashes’ offense with three hits and three runs.

Game No. 10: No. 7 Toledo 4 – No. 2 Buffalo 1

Toledo bounced back strong after giving up the comeback to Bowling Green earlier Friday. Andrew Marra closed the game out for the Rockets with three innings of hitless baseball. Center fielder Tyler Grogg led Toledo with three hits on the night and a pair of runs.