LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Ball State baseball team was back in action on Friday for the opening day of the Lexington Regional against No. 1 seed Kentucky. Trennor O’Donnell recorded another stellar start on the mound, but the Cardinals fell to the Wildcats, 4-0.
O’Donnell got the start on the mound for Ball State and went 7 1/3 innings. He struck out five batters and surrendered two runs, one earned, on four hits. He only walked one batter. He fell to 5-4 on the season.
With the loss, Ball State fell to 36-22 on the season, while Kentucky improved to 37-18 on the year.
With one out in the top of the first inning, Decker Scheffler and Adam Tellier recorded back-to-back hits to give the Cardinals runners on second and third with one out. BSU was unable to get a run across in the top of the first, despite making hard contact.
Logan Flood drew a one-out walk in the top of the second and then stole second to move into scoring position. The Cardinals left a runner in scoring position.
Kentucky got on the board first on a solo home run off the bat of Devin Burkes in the bottom of the fourth. The Wildcats added three runs on two hits in the bottom of the eighth and took a 4-0 lead into the ninth.
Sam Klein went 2/3 of an inning in relief. He gave up two earned runs on two hits.
Travis Smith got the start for Kentucky. He went four innings with four strikeouts and gave up four hits. Mason Moore tossed five innings in relief with two strikeouts, and he picked up the win. He improved to 3-1 on the season.
The Cardinals return to action on Saturday, June 3. Ball State will face either Indiana or West Virginia in an elimination game. First pitch is slated for noon.