EVANSVILLE, Ind. (Interstat) — The Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles erupted for six runs in the third and fourth innings, turning an early deficit into a commanding lead en route to a 13-3 victory over the Ball State Cardinals in nonconference baseball Tuesday night at the Physical Activities Center.

The game’s pivotal shift came after Ball State (12-11) had staked itself to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Brady Davidson’s RBI single plated Brayden Huebner, who had walked and advanced on a wild pitch. Huebner then delivered a two-run double down the left field line in the second inning, scoring John Colligan and Gavin Balius to reclaim a 3-3 tie after Southern Indiana had answered with three runs in the first.

The momentum swung decisively in the bottom of the third. With the score tied, Southern Indiana (16-9) capitalized on a Ball State fielding error to ignite a four-run rally. After Khi Holiday and Patrick McLellan singled, a misplay by the Cardinals’ shortstop allowed Holiday to score the go-ahead run. Jesse Velders added an RBI groundout, and two more runs crossed on a wild pitch, giving the Screaming Eagles a 6-3 advantage they would not relinquish.

Southern Indiana broke the game open an inning later, adding three more runs without the benefit of a hit. A balk, a sacrifice fly from Micajah Wall, another wild pitch, and aggressive baserunning by Clayton Slack, who stole two bases in the inning, stretched the lead to 9-3.

Reliever Levin East was instrumental in halting Ball State’s offense and earned top star honors for Southern Indiana. Entering to start the third inning with the score tied, East fired three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out five. His performance stabilized the game after the Screaming Eagles’ offensive outburst and set the tone for the bullpen. Eben Hansen followed with two perfect innings of relief.

The Screaming Eagles’ offense, which finished with 10 hits, put the game out of reach with a four-run seventh inning. Drue Saenz laced a two-run double, and Wall and McLellan added RBI singles to cap the scoring.

Ball State’s offense managed only six hits after the second inning and was shut out over the final seven frames. Nate Bartlett provided a bright spot for the Cardinals’ pitching staff with 1 2/3 hitless innings of relief.

The result defied pregame projections from Interstat, which had given Ball State a 60.9% probability to win and projected a 7-5 Cardinals victory.

Southern Indiana looks ahead to a weekend series at Arkansas-Little Rock beginning Friday. Ball State returns home to open Mid-American Conference play against Ohio on Friday.