The first home game in 19 days for the Ball State University baseball team didn't go as planned for the hosts.
Central Michigan University (16-20) defeated the Ball State (15-16) 9-6 in the opening game of the weekend series. The loss extended Ball State's losing streak to four games and dropped the teams into a tie for second place in the Mid-American Conference West Division.
The teams remain a game behind the University of Toledo, which lost 12-5 at Northern Illinois University.
"It doesn't matter what anyone else is doing," coach Greg Beals said. "When we lose it's a missed opportunity."
In addition to the loss, Beals was ejected in the ninth inning for arguing balls and strikes.
The Cardinals' offense had no answer for Chippewas' starting pitcher Steve Teno (3-4) for much of the game. The left-hander went 6 1/3 innings and did not allow a run until the seventh inning, when he appeared to tire. Teno's off-speed pitches kept the Cardinals off balance, and he finished with nine strikeouts.
"He kept us off our good approach," first baseman Ian Nielsen said. "His changeup was difficult to pick up sometimes."
Central Michigan threatened from the start of the game, but Ball State starting pitcher Brad Piatt (4-1) was able to limit the damage. Piatt allowed 10 hits, all singles, but only two runs in his first loss of the season. Piatt threw 4 1/3 innings and struck out three batters.
The pitchers' duel ended in the seventh inning as each team scored three runs. Ball State closed the gap back to two runs with a two-run home run from junior center fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker and an RBI single from sophomore third baseman Kolbrin Vitek. Hazelbaker's fourth home run of the season rocketed over the center field fence 400 feet away.
"It seems we go off on righties that throw harder," Nielsen said. "As a team, he was more of our type of pitcher."
After scoring their first runs of the game, the Cardinals were unable to keep the Chippewas off the board. Central Michigan sent 10 batters to the plate in the eighth inning and left the bases loaded. Designated hitter Nate Theunissen's two-run home run was the big blow of the inning.
"Our pitchers didn't do a good job pitching ahead in the count," Beals said. "When you do that you give up runs."
Ball State scored three runs in the ninth but was unable to make a full comeback. Hazelbaker started the inning with a double and was followed by back-to-back singles from second baseman Nate Fields and Vitek. The Chippewas got an out when they struck out catcher Zach Dygert on a 3-2 pitch. Beals was ejected for arguing after the at bat.
Nielsen added a two-run double, but Harvey Martin closed the game out for Central Michigan.
Hazelbaker, Vitek and Nielsen each drove in two runs and had two hits. Vitek finished 3-for-5 and added a run. Central Michigan had six players with multiple hits and three with three each.
The Cardinals played at home for the first time since March 28 after having four scheduled games canceled, three due to weather. The game was also the first time Ball State played on Friday in three weekends, as spring rain throughout the Midwest played havoc with their schedule.
The two teams will continue the three-game series Saturday with Ball State senior starting pitcher Brenden Stines taking on senior Dan Taylor at 1 p.m. Nielsen said the team needs to make adjustments before Saturday's game.
"We need to look at what we did wrong today and take a different approach," Nielsen said. "We have to give it our all every day."
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