The Ball State University baseball team lost its season opener 4-3 to Furman University in 10 innings Friday.
Furman senior Connor Lind reached on second baseman Nate Fields' error to start the bottom of the 10th and advanced to third before sophomore left fielder Reese Wade singled him home. Ball State closer Morgan Coombs took the loss in his first appearance for the Cardinals. Freshman reliever Stephen Gary picked up the win, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings.
Coombs relieved senior Tom Mueller in the ninth inning with two Paladins on base and one out. The Lincoln Trail College transfer retired the first two batters he faced to send the game into extra innings.
The Cardinals had a chance to take the lead in the top of the ninth after sophomore shortstop T.J. Baumet hit a two-out triple, but freshman designated hitter Aaron Etchison flew out to right field to end the inning. Baumet went 2-4 with a run.
Freshman first baseman Ian Nielsen hit a home run in his first collegiate at bat to lead off the third inning and tie the game at one. Sophomore third baseman Kolbrin Vitek also went deep for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals continue their series in Greenville, S.C., with a doubleheader Saturday.
Continue to check bsudailynews.com for game updates throughout the weekend and Monday's edition of The Ball State Daily News for complete coverage of the Cardinals' opening weekend.
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