OXFORD, Ohio – The Ball State baseball team couldn’t keep up with Miami and fell 20-4 to the RedHawks on Friday afternoon at McKie Field.
The Cardinals (15-14, 10-4 Mid-American Conference) got a solo home run from Ryan Muizelaar in the fourth inning and a two-run triple by John Colligan and RBI single by Jack Bakus in the seventh, but the RedHawks (19-10, 9-5 MAC) plated two runs each in the first and second frames and six in the third to build a 10-0 advantage early. Eight more runs in the fifth created more separation for Miami.
Bakus had two hits in the final frame of the seven-inning game, while Gavin Balius posted a pair of hits as well including a double. Kendric Sorgius tallied a pinch hit double.
The hosts were led offensively by Tommy Harrison who hit a grand slam among his three hits for seven RBI and three runs scored. Starting pitcher Clayton Burke (4-1) struck out four and went the distance to earn the win.
Ball State starter Zach Kwasny (2-1) produced three strikeouts but allowed four runs in 1.1 innings pitched to suffer the loss.
Saturday’s series finale has been moved up to a 10 a.m. start time.