KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Sophomore Cade Sullivan blasted his second grand slam of the season as part of a six-run fifth inning, which helped Western Michigan pull away from and eventually cruise past Ball State, 14-2, on Tuesday in Mid-American Conference action.  
 
FINAL SCORE: Western Michigan 14, Ball State 2 (F/8)
LOCATION: Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field (Kalamazoo, Mich.)
RECORDS: Western Michigan (12-21, 9-10 MAC) | Ball State (21-14, 15-4)
W: Joe Shapiro (1-6) | L: Ty Weatherly (0-3)
 
Sullivan tallied a career-high five RBIs, and joined Justin McIntyre and Will Morrison as the three Broncos with multiple hits in the contest. McIntyre and Josh Swinehart also homered for Western Michigan, with Swinehart tying his career-best with three runs batted in. Jimmy Allen, Connor Charping, Gavin Doyle, McIntyre, Morrison and Sullivan each scored twice for WMU.
 
On the pitching side, Ethan Houghtaling got the ball for his first start as a collegian, and yielded one run on four hits across a career-high four-and-a-third innings. Joe Shapiro took over for the final three-and-two-thirds and limited BSU to one run while striking out three to earn his first collegiate victory.
 
The two teams traded home runs in the third, as a Ball State long ball was answered in the bottom of the frame by a McIntyre solo shot to even the score at 1-1.
 
Ball State loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the fifth, but Shapiro came through with an inning-ending strikeout to keep the game even.
 
Western Michigan then took the lead with six runs in the bottom of the frame. An error allowed Morrison to score and put the Broncos ahead, and McIntyre followed with a run-scoring single to extend the margin to 3-1. After a pair of walks, the bases were loaded for Sullivan, who blasted his second grand slam of the season to right-center field, stretching the WMU advantage to 7-1.
 
Leading 7-2 entering the bottom of the eighth, Western Michigan put the game away. Three of the first four Broncos reached, loading the bases for Charping, who drew a walk to pick up an RBI. Doyle and Sullivan each notched run-scoring singles, and Swinehart then ended the game with a three-run homer off of the batter's eye in straightaway center field.
 
Western Michigan hits the road this coming weekend for a four-game set at Bowling Green. The Broncos and Falcons are scheduled to begin their series on Friday, with first pitch slated for 3:05 pm.