A change of venue didn't reverse the recent luck for the Cardinals.
Ball State (1-10) fell 6-4 to The Citadel on Tuesday in Charleston, S.C.
Freshman left-hander Devin Wilburn made his first career collegiate start against the Bulldogs but committed one too many rookie mistakes.
After recording the first out in the bottom of the first, Wilburn walked junior Brad Felder. A wild pitch allowed Felder to advance to second, and the outfielder took advantage of the freshman pitcher by swiping third base, putting himself in scoring position. Junior infielder Justin Mackert lined an RBI double to right, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 advantage.
After surrendering a walk and a single to the next two hitters, freshman catcher Joe Jackson tagged Wilburn for a three-run double to right, clearing the bases and making the score 4-1.
A pair of doubles led to another run for the Bulldogs in the bottom of the second inning.
Leadoff man Cody Elliott singled to left to begin the top of the third inning for Ball State. Elliott then stole second and junior infielder Mitch Widau drove him in with an RBI single to the left side of the diamond, cutting the deficit to 5-2.
Five runs proved to be more than enough for the Bulldogs, who added another run in the fourth inning.
Ball State saw its share of opportunities to cash in at the plate but squandered all of them.
After a leadoff single by sophomore right fielder Blake Beemer and a walk dealt to freshman Mitch Overely, Elliott struck out looking to end the inning and the threat for Ball State.
With two men on base and one out, freshman T.J. Weir grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the fifth inning.
The Cardinals added a run in the sixth and the eighth inning, but its come-from-behind rally fell short.
Wilburn lasted just 2 1/3 innings, allowing five earned runs off five hits. He issued two free passes and fanned one.
Lefties Kyle Raleigh and Jon Cisna worked a combined 5 2/3 innings of one-run baseball out of Cardinal bullpen for first-year coach Alex Marconi.
Elliott finished the game going 2-for-5, while Widau was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
The Cardinals are in need of a break. They're in the midst of a six-game losing streak. In that span, the pitching staff has allowed 66 runs.
Ball State will play its sixth game in six days Wednesday versus No. 21 College of Charleston.
The Cougars enter Wednesday's matchup with an overall record of 11-2 and are 3-0 all-time versus Ball State.
First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. at The College of Charleston Baseball Stadium in Mount Pleasant, S.C.
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