MUNCIE, Ind. (Interstat) — Ball State rallied from an early deficit and pulled away late to defeat Bowling Green 6-3 on Thursday afternoon at Ball Diamond, earning a Mid-American Conference win.

The Cardinals improved to 21-28 overall, while the Falcons fell to 17-30.

Bowling Green struck first in the top of the first inning, scoring three runs on a walk, a sacrifice bunt and a pair of productive outs. But the Falcons managed only one more run the rest of the way, despite collecting 10 hits. Ball State answered with a run in the second, three in the fifth to tie the game, then took the lead for good with two runs in the seventh and added an insurance run in the eighth.

Falcons starter Ethan Stade pitched 4⅓ innings, allowing three earned runs on zero hits with seven strikeouts but issued several walks and hit batters. Ty Roder followed with 2⅔ innings, giving up one earned run on zero hits while striking out one. Ethan Papacek tossed the eighth and allowed one earned run on no hits with two strikeouts.

Cardinals starter Brendan Garza worked 6⅔ innings, surrendering three earned runs on eight hits with four strikeouts. Owen Quinn, Zach Kwasny and Zander Bretza combined for 2⅓ scoreless relief frames.

Bowling Green’s early offensive surge began when Seidel walked and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Vickers. After a strikeout, Takats grounded out, but the Falcons already had a runner in scoring position. The three-run first was the product of a walk, a single and a throwing error later in the second inning that allowed Mottice to advance, but the damage came on a sacrifice fly and a double in the fifth.

In the bottom of the second, Ball State cut the deficit to 3-1. Davidson doubled down the left-field line, and after a flyout and a hit by pitch, Kalk singled to center to drive in Davidson. A walk loaded the bases, but a fielder’s choice ended the inning.

The Falcons extended their lead in the top of the fifth. Mottice singled and McKenzie singled, putting runners on the corners. Scheiderer’s sacrifice bunt brought Mottice home, and Seidel doubled down the right-field line to score McKenzie, making it 3-1.

Ball State tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. Huebner walked, moved to second on a wild pitch, and Balius reached on a bunt single. After a stolen base, Muizelaar’s sacrifice fly scored Huebner. Davidson then singled to shallow right, scoring Balius to knot the game at 3-3.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the seventh, when Ball State took the lead for good. Huebner was hit by a pitch, stole second, and after two flyouts, Davidson singled to left, driving in Huebner and advancing to second on a fielding error by Takats. Gillis followed with a single to right, scoring Davidson for a 5-3 Ball State lead.

In the eighth, Papacek replaced Roder for Bowling Green. Sorgius, who had entered the game earlier as a defensive replacement, homered to right-center, his second of the season, giving the Cardinals a 6-3 advantage.

Bowling Green mounted a threat in the ninth. Salvione walked, Seidel walked, and after a popout, Mitta struck out but the runners advanced on a wild pitch. Takats walked to load the bases, but Horky flied out to center to end the game.

Mottice went 4 for 4 for Bowling Green, reaching base five times. Davidson drove in two runs for Ball State, going 3 for 4.

The two teams meet again Friday and Saturday at Ball Diamond to conclude the series.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 3-2 Bowling Green victory, but Interstat’s ELO system had given Ball State a 63.90 percent probability to win.