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No. 6 Central Michigan used a dominating pitching performance by starting pitcher Nick Deeg as the Chippewas defeated No. 2 Ball State, 4-0, on Thursday morning at the MAC Baseball Tournament at All Pro Freight Stadium. Deeg earned the complete game victory and allowed only four hits.
With the win, Central Michigan advances to play the winner of No. 3 Miami and No. 7 Western Michigan on Friday, May 27 at 1:00 pm ET. With the loss, No. 2 seed Ball State's season comes to an end.
Central Michigan pounded out nine hits for four runs as seven different Chippewas in the batting order produced a hit. Central Michigan's three run seventh inning sealed the victory.
Central Michigan opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning with one run on two hits. Daniel Jipping walked followed by singles by both Daniel Robinson and Jason Sullivan to load the bases. Ball State pitcher Matt Haro walked Morgan Oliver to score Jipping to give the Chippewas the early 1-0 lead. However, Robert Greenman grounded out into a double play to end the inning.
The Chippewas added three insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to open a 4-0 lead. Jason Sullivan opened the inning with a walk and Morgan Oliver's sacrifice bunt moved Sullivan to second. Robert Greenman's single to center field scored Sullivan from second for a 2-0 lead and chased Cardinals' starter Matt Haro. Kevin Marnon relieved Haro and faced three batters in one-third of an inning and allowed two hits, as both Ryan Heeke and Zach McKinstry both singled to load the bases. David Current relieved Marnon for the Cardinals to face Jipping. On a 1-2 pitch Jipping delivered and dropped a ground-rule double down the right field line to score Greenman and Heeke for the 4-0 lead.
Ball State starting pitcher Matt Haro threw six and one-third innings, allowed three earned runs on five hits with four strikeouts and four walks.
Central Michigan moves on to play the loser of today's Miami/Western Michigan game on Friday at 1pm.