HOUSTON - Ball State centerfielder Aaron Simpson hit a three-run home run in the top of the 11th inning as the Cardinals downed HBU, 6-3, to clinch the non-conference baseball series Saturday at Husky Field.

HBU senior righthander Kyle Gruller allowed three runs on four hits with 12 strikeouts and five walks in six innings in a no-decision, while senior lefthander Brent Pronger (0-1) shut out Ball State for four innings, before allowing the three runs in the 11th. He allowed three runs on four hits with five strikeouts and a walk over five innings of relief.

Senior first baseman Johnny Gonzales extended his hitting streak to six games, going 4-for-5 with a double and a run scored for the Huskies (1-6). He had reached base safely eight-straight times before flying out in the eighth. Senior catcher Matt Solomon blasted a three-run homer for HBU and senior designated hitter Ryne Edmondson went 2-for-4 with a walk.

Tyler Schweitzer (1-0) picked up the win for the Cardinals (2-3), shutting out the Huskies on two hits with four strikeouts over the final three innings. Starter Kyle Nicolas allowed three runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and two walks in six innings and Zach Losey tossed two shutout frames.

Simpson was 1-for-5 on the day with the decisive home run. Justin Conant went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run.

Gonzales singled, then senior second baseman Trent Franson followed with a walk, before Solomon unloaded a three-run shot to left to give the Huskies a 3-0 lead in the second, but they could not muster a rally over the final nine innings.

Ball State came through with three runs in the fourth, getting an RBI single from Trenton Quartermaine, then a two-run single by Conant to tie the game, 3-3. The Cardinals would not threaten over the next six, before Simpson's heroics in the 11th.

The series concludes with a 12:30 first pitch Sunday at Husky Field.