The Ball State men's tennis team knew it was in trouble yesterday before it hit the courts against Michigan.

After learning that Indiana State (9-7) had pummeled the Wolverines 7-0 on the previous day, the Cardinals faced the daunting task of trying to upset a Big Ten team that was out for blood.

Playing with an adjusted lineup, Michigan (1-3 Big Ten, 9-5 overall) rolled past Ball State (5-11), 5-2 to earn a split for the road trip.

With senior Ben Cox out at No. 2 singles due to mononucleosis, coach Mark Mees had to move everyone up a spot in the lineup, allowing sophomore Brett Baudinet to see action for the first time.

Despite dropping a tough 7-6, 6-4 decision at No. 6 singles, Baudinet teamed with junior Chris Shaya at No. 1 doubles and produced some rocket serves to help the duo garner a 9-8 victory.

"Brett played very solid in doubles," Mees said. "I thought he had some chances in singles but was unable to convert at the end."

The Wolverines claimed the doubles point with easy victories at the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, and then cruised in singles to drop the Cardinals for the second straight year.

As strong as Michigan played against Ball State, Saturday's match against Indiana State was certainly one to forget.

In Mees own words: "It was the worst match possible."

Indiana State pounded the Wolverines in singles, earning straight-set victories in five of the six matches. Beam was able to push Stefan Him to a decisive third set at the No. 1 spot, but eventually succumbed, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Despite his gritty performance, the loss was certainly a disappointing one for the Wolverines' marquee player.

Beam entered the contest having won nine of his last 12 matches, including a huge victory two weeks ago over 16th-ranked Danny Westerman of Wisconsin.

At No. 2 singles, Cox returned to the lineup after missing Tuesday's match against Bowling Green, but he was clearly not the player who is accustomed to overpowering his opponents. Vedran Vidovic handed a 6-0, 6-0 thumping to the Michigan senior, who is still trying to get back to his old form following the layoff.

"Ben is clearly not healthy; he didn't practice all week," Mees said.

Michigan will just have two days to rest before facing No. 7 Notre Dame on Wednesday at the Varsity Tennis Center.

The Fighting Irish boast the nation's No. 7 singles player in Javier Taborga, and they roll into Ann Arbor having taken four of their last five matches against the Wolverines, including a 7-0 drubbing last year in South Bend.