HOUSTON - Ball State used a two-out, two-run single by Ross Messina in the 11th inning to overcome HBU, 5-3, in the non-conference baseball series opener Friday afternoon at Husky Field.

Senior lefthander Solomon Klimeck took a no-decision for the Huskies (1-5), allowing three runs, two earned, on seven hits with four strikeouts and two walks in seven-plus innings. Junior lefthander Austin Spinney (0-2) took the loss, shutting out the Cardinals (1-3) for three innings, before allowing a pair of runs in the 11th.

Senior first baseman Johnny Gonzales went 2-for-2 with three walks, an RBI and a run for HBU, while senior rightfielder Brandon Bena went 2-for-5. Senior leftfielder Ryne Edmondson doubled and scored a run and senior second baseman Trent Franson singled and drove in a run.

Ty Weatherly (1-1) picked up the win for BSU, shutting out HBU in two-thirds of an inning, while Tyler Ruetschle earned the save by recording the final out. Starter John Baker gave up three runs on six hits with six strikeout and four walks in 4.2 innings and Andre Orselli held the Huskies scoreless on two hits with three strikeouts and three walks in 4.2 innings.

Messina went 2-for-6 with two RBIs and Zach Cole doubled and drove in a pair. Noah Navarro and Ryan Peltier each went 2-for-4 and scored twice. Justin Conant was 3-for-5 with an RBI.

BSU took the lead with three in the second on Cole's two-run double, then Conant followed with an RBI single. HBU answered in the bottom half on Franson's RBI single to cut the deficit to 3-1.

The Huskies tied the game in the fifth when senior shortstop Cal Clark scored on a wild pitch and Gonzales drew a bases-loaded walk.

Neither team scored, until Messina delivered the go-ahead single in the 11th.

The series continues with a 1 p.m. first pitch Saturday, followed by a 12:30 start in the finale Sunday.