MUNCIE, Ind. (Interstat) — Cole Prout’s two-run single capped a four-run eighth inning as Central Michigan rallied to edge Ball State 8-7 in a back-and-forth Mid-American Conference opener Friday afternoon at Ball Diamond.

The Chippewas (6-5, 1-0 MAC) overcame a standout performance from Ball State’s Brayden Huebner and a late one-run deficit by capitalizing on a critical error to seize the series opener.

Central Michigan led 4-3 after five innings, but the Cardinals (5-7, 0-1) surged ahead with solo home runs from Huebner and Jacob Gillis in the bottom of the seventh, taking a 7-5 lead.

The momentum shifted decisively in the top of the eighth. With Ball State reliever John Chambers on the mound, Central Michigan’s Logan Keilen singled and Drew Loikits reached on a fielding error by third baseman Charlie Keller. After a walk loaded the bases, pinch-runner turned third baseman Bryson Webb delivered a two-run double to tie the game. Following a pitching change to Zander Bretza, Prout laced a two-run single to center, scoring two unearned runs to put the Chippewas back in front 8-7.

Prout, the Chippewas’ left fielder, finished 2 for 5 with a home run and four RBIs, breaking out of a recent slump to provide the decisive blow.

Ball State threatened in the bottom of the eighth, putting the potential tying run on third with one out, but Central Michigan reliever Liam Stumpf induced a popout and a strikeout to end the threat. Max Hammond worked a scoreless ninth for the save, stranding a leadoff hit-by-pitch.

The game’s most important sequence was the Cardinals’ defensive miscue in the eighth. Keller’s error on Loikits’ grounder opened the door, transforming a potential inning-ending double play opportunity into the rally that allowed Central Michigan to bat around and score four unearned runs.

Huebner led Ball State’s offense, going 3 for 3 with a double, a solo home run, two RBIs and a walk. Max Kalk also homered for the Cardinals.

Starting pitchers Brendan Garza of Ball State and Hayden Bailey of Central Michigan did not factor in the decision. Garza allowed four earned runs on eight hits over 6 1/3 innings, striking out six. Bailey was charged with three earned runs in 2 2/3 innings.

Gavin Moczydlowsky (1-0) earned the win for Central Michigan with 3 1/3 innings of scoreless, hitless relief, striking out two. John Chambers (0-1) took the loss for Ball State, allowing four runs, though only one was earned, in one-third of an inning.

The game defied pregame projections. Interstat’s game simulator had predicted a 5-4 Central Michigan victory, while its ELO system gave Ball State a 67.5% probability to win.

Central Michigan out-hit Ball State 12-11. The Chippewas executed two sacrifice hits, while the Cardinals grounded into two double plays.

The teams continue the three-game series Saturday afternoon.