AVON, OH – Senior righthander Cameron Palmer delivered a solid pitching performance on Wednesday evening but it wasn't enough as Ball State notched a 3-2 victory over Toledo in the opening round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament.

Palmer (6-8) allowed just three runs and seven hits over seven innings, but the Cardinals' Zach Plesac (5-4) was just a little bit better. The sophomore hurler limited to Toledo to five hits and two runs (one earned) in eight innings.

The Rockets were able to get the game-tying run to third base with two out in the bottom of the ninth, but Cardinals' sophomore righty B.J. Butler was able to strand the runner for his seventh save.

Ball State broke on top first with single runs in the second and third frames. Junior DH Scott Tyler, who was the lone player in the contest to collect more than one hit, delivered the game's first run with a liner to left-center.  He was gunned down at second base trying to stretch his run-scoring hit into a double.

The Cardinals were in position for a big third inning when their first three runners reached base. After senior SS Elbert Devarie's RBI single, UT was able to get the lead runner at third base on a sacrifice bunt attempt and then turned a double-play to end the threat.

After Ball State added another run in the sixth, the Rockets finally broke through in the bottom half. Freshman 2B Matt Hansen's double was the lone hit of the inning with junior C Lucas Sokol coming across on junior SS Deion Tansel's groundout.

UT scored its final run on the Cardinals' fourth error of the game. Hansen drew a lead-off walk and then scored when junior 1B Ryan Callahan reached on BSU sophomore 3B Sean Kennedy's throwing error.

Toledo will look to remain alive in the tournament tomorrow with a 1:00 p.m. matchup vs. No. 1 seed Central Michigan. The Chippewas dropped a 5-4 decision to No. 8 seed Akron today.