Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
22-28, 15-15
Northern Illinois
31-14, 21-9
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball St. | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 17 | 20 | 0 |
| Northern Ill. | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
Cardinals Cruise to 17-5 Win at Northern Illinois in Series Finale
May 10, 2026 | Baseball
The Cardinals (22-28, 15-15 Mid-American Conference) got an RBI double by Brady Davidson, two-run double from Brett Griffiths and RBI singles from Kenskey Thomas and Taber Stokes to take the early 5-0 edge. Northern Illinois (31-14, 21-9 MAC) scored once in the bottom half of the frame to make it a 5-1 score.
No runners crossed home plate in the next four innings, but Gavin Balius cleared the bases in the sixth on a triple to increase the visitors' advantage to 8-1. Griffiths blasted a solo homer in the seventh to tack on another insurance run for the Cardinals. After the Huskies hit a two-run home run in the eighth, Ball State rallied for eight runs in the ninth to cruise to the winning decision in the series finale.
Griffiths went 4-for-5 with two doubles, one home run, five RBI and four runs scored to lead a Ball State offense that had 11 batters collect hits including six with multiple knocks on the afternoon. Max Kalk came off the bench to reach base four times on three singles and a hit by pitch.
John Chambers (5-5) put in 6.0 innings of work out of the bullpen and struck out four while allowing two runs to earn the win.
The Cardinals need one win against Bowling Green in the final series of the season, which starts Thursday in Muncie, to clinch a spot in the upcoming MAC Tournament.
"Our boys played a solid game today with good hitting, pitching, and defense," Ball State head coach Rich Maloney said. "Much-needed victory."
Mason Orton (0-1) started for NIU and allowed six runs while getting only two outs to be hit with the loss.
Ball State is set to host Purdue at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Chambers, John (5-5)
L: Mason Orton (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Balius, Gavin 1 ; Davidson, Brady 1 ; Griffiths, Brett 2
3B: Balius, Gavin 1
HR: Griffiths, Brett 1 ; Keller, Charlie 1
RBI: Huebner, Brayden 1 ; Balius, Gavin 3 ; Bakus, Jack 1 ; Muizelaar, Ryan 1 ; Davidson, Brady 1 ; Griffiths, Brett 5 ; Thomas, Kenskey 1 ; Keller, Charlie 2 ; Stokes, Taber 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Huebner, Brayden 2 ; Balius, Gavin 2 ; Gillis, Jacob 1 ; Bakus, Jack 1 ; Muizelaar, Ryan 1 ; Davidson, Brady 1 ; Griffiths, Brett 4 ; Thomas, Kenskey 1 ; Keller, Charlie 2 ; Kalk, Max 2
HBP: Bakus, Jack 1 ; Murphy, Preston 1 ; Kalk, Max 1 ; Stokes, Taber 1
PO: Griffiths, Brett 1
Batting:
2B: Kayden Jennings 1 ; Nolan Sandee 1
HR: Will Couchman 1
RBI: Wyatt Wawro 2 ; Will Couchman 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Wyatt Wawro 1 ; Kayden Jennings 1 ; Will Couchman 1 ; Nolan Sandee 1 ; Connar Temple 1
SB: Ivan Dahlberg 1
HBP: Marcus Romero 1 ; Ivan Dahlberg 1 ; Charlie Parcell 1
