Western Michigan (19-24, 9-10 MAC) and Ball State each scored in the second and the Cardinals pulled ahead with a run in the fourth. WMU took the lead with two runs in the seventh and sophomore RHP Monty Porter held Ball State to just one hit over the final 2.2 innings to earn the save.

Ryan McMillin scored for the Broncos in the first after being hit by a pitch. He moved to second on a sac bunt by Patrick Duncan and crossed the plate when Andrew Sohn reached on a two-base error.

Both Bronco runs in the seventh were generated without a hit. Dan Shutes drew a walk with two outs and Ball State was set to record the third out on a ball hit to third by Vinnie Booker. The throw was off the mark over to second, allowing Booker to reach on a fielder's choice and both runners took an extra base. With Zach Thoma at bat, Ball State's catcher sent a wild throw down to second base, enabling Shutes to take off for home and score the tying run. Booker would move over to third and scored as Thoma reached on a fielding error by the third baseman.

Ball State had runners on the corners with one out in the seventh, but Porter came out of the bullpen to record a strikeout and fly out to left field.

Western Michigan also had runners on the corners with no outs in the eighth and came up empty on an inning ending groundball double play.

WMU had just six hits in the game, Duncan, Jack Scanlon and Troy Forton each collecting two apiece.

Bronco left-handed starter Steve Laudicina (5-4) picked up the win on the mound, throwing 6.1 innings, scattering 10 hits and two runs. Porter's save was his first of the year.

RHP Chris Marangon was saddled with the loss for Ball State tossing 7.1 innings and allowing the three unearned runs.

WMU right-handed freshman Will Nimke (2-3, 3.95 ERA) is expected to start on the hill tomorrow against Ball State RHP Jacob Brewer (0-4, 6.05 ERA).