MUNCIE, Ind. - The host Ball State University Cardinals scored six runs in their first two trips to the plate and six more in their last two trips, en route to topping the visiting Indiana State University baseball team, 12-5, in front of 318 fans at Ball Diamond in Muncie, Ind.

The Sycamores (23-11) struck first on Tuesday, when sophomore Kyle Burnam hit his first home run of the season with one out in the first inning.

The lead did not last long for ISU, however, as Ball State (17-19) scored two runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 2-1 lead. The Cardinals added to their lead in the following inning as well, plating four runs to take a 6-1 lead after two innings.

Indiana State would rally late in the game, cutting the Cardinals' lead to three runs after the sixth inning and to one run after the seventh.

Senior Luke Fieser, freshman Robby Ort and freshman Jeremy Lucas tallied three consecutive singles on the sixth, with the single by Lucas driving in Fieser. Ort would score the second run of the inning when a throw attempting to catch Lucas stealing second base went into center field.

Fieser and Ort picked up RBIs the following inning, with Fieser hitting his team-leading seventh sacrifice fly of the season and Ort dropping down a well-placed bunt to second base. Ort's RBI cut the Ball State lead to just one run, at 6-5, heading into the bottom of inning, but BSU tallied four runs in the bottom of the frame and two more in the eighth to secure the win.

JT Stenftenagel (3-1) took the loss on Tuesday, giving up six runs (five earned) in one inning of work. Junior Brett Merkley relieved Stenftenagel on the mound, allowing just one hit while pitching four shutout innings.

Fieser and Ort led ISU at the plate, with each picking up three hits and an RBI. Senior Ryan Strausborger went 2-4 with a stolen base, extending his hitting streak to 19 games and his stolen base streak to 11 games.

Indiana State will have a quick turnaround this week, as they return to action on Wednesday when they host the Grizzlies of Franklin College. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. at Bob Warn Field and can be heard live online at http://www.indstate.edu/wisu. Season ticket holders can redeem their tickets from the Indiana game that was cancelled due to weather at the game against Franklin on Wednesday.