OXFORD, Ohio — The Miami University baseball team dropped a 7-4 decision to visiting Ball State Thursday afternoon to begin a four-game series. The RedHawks' season record slips to 23-30 (18-19 MAC), while the Cardinals improve to 35-17 (29-7 MAC) and take over first place in the conference.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Trailing 2-0, Miami got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning. David Novak led off with a walk, moved to second base on a Parker Lester sacrifice bunt, and came in to score on a bloop single to center by Stephen Krause.
• The RedHawks evened the score in the third inning. After a JJ Woolwine walk and Benji Brokemond bunt single, Woolwine took third base on a flyout by Zach MacDonald. Novak brought Woolwine home with a two-out RBI single to right to make it 2-2.
• Ball State responded with three runs in the top of the fourth, but Miami got two back in the bottom half. Krause doubled with one out and advanced to third base on a Brian Zapp ground ball before William Escala brought him home with a two-out base hit to shortstop. Woolwine followed with a deep drive to left field that the Ball State outfielder was unable to pull in at the wall, allowing Escala to score with Woolwine ending up on second base.
• The Cardinals concluded the scoring with a pair of runs in the eighth to account for the 7-4 final margin.

 
MIAMI GAME NOTES

• Krause led the Miami offensive attack, going 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored.
• Novak had a hit, an RBI, a walk, a run and a stolen base.
• Miami starter Jonathan Brand allowed three earned runs in five innings, striking out five.

 
UP NEXT:
The RedHawks and Cardinals will continue their series with a doubleheader on Friday, May 20. First pitch in Oxford is set for 1 p.m.