MUNCIE, Ind. – Host Ball State defeated the Eastern Kentucky University men’s tennis team Friday afternoon by a count of 6-1. The Cardinals improve to 4-6 while the Colonels fall to 4-6.

Mel Segota (No. 4) earned Eastern’s lone point of the day. The junior rallied from one set down to defeat Ball State’s Joe Vallee in a third set super tie-breaker, 10-0. Senior Lars Gratzki (No. 1) and sophomore Johannes John (No. 2) also took their matches to a deciding tie-breaker, but both came up just short.

“This was a tight match even with [our No. 1 player] Alex Das Izquierdo sitting out,” EKU head coach Rob Oertel said. “We must figure out a way to win when adversity strikes.”

The Colonels have the rest of the weekend off before hosting the final indoor matches of the season next Friday, Feb. 29, against Southern Indiana and Georgetown College.

Ball State 6, Eastern Kentucky 1

Singles
1. Jose Perdomo (BSU) d. Lars Gratzki (EKU) 6-7 (5), 6-4, 10-8
2. Eduardo Pavia (BSU) d. Johannes John (EKU) 4-6, 6-4, 10-8
3. Bret Berryman (BSU) d. Vadzim Ivanis (EKU) 6-0, 6-0
4. Mel Segota (EKU) d. Joe Vallee (BSU) 4-6, 7-6 (2), 10-0
5. Jorge Rodriguez (BSU) d. Fred Goncalves (EKU) 6-0, 6-0
6. Daniel Vidal (BSU) d. Francisco Fontoura (EKU) 6-2, 6-2

Doubles
1. Perdomo/Rodriguez (BSU) d. Gratzki/John (EKU) 8-2
2. Berryman/PaviaBerryman (BSU) d. Ivanis/Segota (EKU) 8-5
3. Valle/Vidal (BSU) vs. Das Izquierdo/Goncalves (EKU) 6-6, DNF