BASEBALL: Cardinals lose game in 12th inning

Ball State drops first game to Belmont after losing lead in ninth inning

Ball State baseball suffered its third consecutive defeat after losing at Belmont in 12 innings Friday night.

Junior left-handed pitcher Cal Bowling struggled early, giving up a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning to Belmont's Nate Woods.

Belmont's lead grew to 5-0 by the fourth inning when Dylan Craig was responsible for a run and an RBI, which chased Bowling out of the game.

Ball State responded in the next inning with three runs to bring the score to 5-3 and took a 6-5 lead in the seventh inning.

In the ninth inning, the Bruins were able to tie the game at six after a sacrifice fly by Matt Zeblo allowed Craig to score from third base.

Belmont grabbed the victory in the bottom of the 12th inning from a sacrifice fly to center field allowed the game-winning run to score.

Bowling lasted only 4 innings, giving up five runs on six hits. He also walked a season-high five batters.

The loss drops Ball State to 2-14 on the season.

The Cardinals play the second game of the three game series at 1 p.m. today.

Ball State drops first game to Belmont after losing lead in ninth inning