WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Brendan Burns threw six shutout innings to help lead Ball State to a 9-3 victory over the Milwaukee baseball team Saturday at the Russmatt Baseball 2016 Central Florida Invitational.
 
The Panthers (2-5) got on the board late, but the rally was not enough to avoid a second loss in a row to the Cardinals (3-4) down in Florida.
 
"We are really having a hard time doing two things," Milwaukee head coach Scott Doffek said. "And that is staying away from the big inning on defense and coming up with hits with men in scoring position. Those two things are a bad combination."
 
Daulton Varsho had two more hits to lead the offense. Chris Kelly also added a pair of hits and drove in a pair of runs.
 
"We are gaining experience each time out," Doffek said. "Now we have to learn and apply."
 
Brian Keller (0-2) lasted 6.1 innings, striking out eight batters despite allowing seven earned runs. Jared Reklaitis was solid in closing out the contest, walking none and striking out four in his 2.2 innings of work, giving up just one hit.
 
Keller had two outs and nobody on before a Ball State rally in the second inning produced four runs on four consecutive hits and an error.
 
The Cardinals put up another crooked number in the seventh. Milwaukee got on the scoreboard in the ninth. A Varsho triple opened the frame, Cole Heili doubled in a run and another triple by Kelly plated two more.
 
The Panthers wrap up weekend play tomorrow, taking on Kent State at 10 a.m. CST.