The Ball State University baseball team's offensive struggles returned Wednesday as it lost 3-1 at Purdue University.
The Cardinals (22-15, 7-5 Mid-American Conference) were coming off a 20 hit, 14 run game against Xavier University but managed seven hits and almost got shut out against the Boilermakers.
Tony Sedlmeyer did most of work shutting down the MAC's top offense. He went seven innings, allowing one run and six hits. Andy Loomis and Josh Lindblom pitched one inning each to finish the game for the Boilermakers.
Ball State center fielder Wayne Bond Jr. led the way offensively for the Cardinals. He scored the one run and was the one Cardinal to get multiple hits.
Brad Piatt started on the mound and went four innings, giving up two hits and one run. Weekend starter Eric Van Matre pitched the next two-thirds of an inning but allowed one earned run with the last run being scored while he was on the mound.
Tom Mueller, Aaron Hammons and Heath Riley combined to pitch the final three and one-third innings in which the Boilermakers were shut out and collected three hits.
The Cardinal defense committed two errors, making it the fifth game in a row the Cardinals have had multiple errors.
In an effort to fix the defensive woes, coach Greg Beals started Matt Stoeklin at third base and moved regular third baseman T.J. Baumet to second base for the second straight game. Neither player committed an error against Purdue.
The Cardinals return to action this weekend as they are the road for the second straight weekend in MAC play. This time they will match up against Western Michigan University.
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