The real season starts today for Ball State baseball

The Ball State baseball team travels to Ohio for a 3-game series that marks the beginning of MAC conference play. Ball State has a record of 6-14 with an RPI of 114. Ohio is 1-15 with an RPI of 280. BSU is ranked third in the MAC in the RPI ratings, behind Toledo (84) and Miami-Ohio (112). Another rotation shake-up for the Cardinals will allow Perci Garner to start on Friday. This will be Garner's first start of the year. He leads the team with 26 strikeouts in 18 innings. Cal Bowling will pitch on Saturday and Kolbrin Vitek will pitch on Sunday. Those two pitchers have been in the rotation all year and have pitched pretty solid considering the schedule that they have faced so far this season.

In football news, the International Bowl has been removed from the bowl schedule. It has been replaced by the Pinstripe Bowl, which will feature a Big East team against a Big 12 team. Does that mean the MAC has lost a bowl bid? Does it really matter, since the MAC can't win any bowl game they play in? I don't have many more details on this right now, but when I do I will be sure to post what I know.

Ball State softball sweeps double header

The BSU softball team traveled to Dayton for a twin-bill yesterday and won both games. In the first game, Audra Sanders gave up 2 runs in 7 innings with 10 strikeouts to get the win as the Cardinals won 7-2. Amanda Montalto had a 3-run homer and Jessie Ware had 3 hits. In the second game, Kim Mazzapica threw 6 innings of shutout ball while Elizabeth Milian threw a scoreless 7th as the Cardinals won 5-0. Just like the first game, Montalto hit a home run, this time a 2-run shot, and Ware had 3 hits. Ball State is now 19-6 on the season. The Cards are off this weekend, then play Tuesday at IUPUI.

I forgot to mention this yesterday, but the Brownsburg softball team got off to a slow start in a 11-1 defeat at the hands of Southport. The Dogs try to regroup as they travel to Western Boone for a 5:00 game this evening.

Ball State baseball doesn't even try to win in a loss to Notre Dame

The Ball State baseball team basically gave away Tuesday's game at Notre Dame losing 11-5. BSU used 7 pitchers in the game due to the fact that the non-conference games really don't mean anything at this point for a team that is 6-14. Only a MAC championship can get them into the NCAA tourney. The Cardinals fell behind 8-0 after two innings. Brad Piatt gave up 2 runs in the first inning and Michael Sandman gave up 6 runs while only getting 1 out in the second inning. The offense tallied 9 hits and 7 walks, but left 11 runners on base. BSU travels to Ohio this weekend to begin conference play. Friday's game is at 6pm.

The BSU softball team (17-6) travels to Dayton (9-12) today to face the Flyers in a double header. Game time is 3pm.

Big wins for Ball State baseball and softball

The Ball State baseball team split a double header with #10 Louisville yesterday. The games were moved up due to impending weather in the area. In the first game, Louisville jumped out to a 6-0 lead on the strength of a 5-run second inning eventually running BSU starter Cal Bowling (Yorktown!) out after three innings of work. Louisville won the game 8-3. As usual, the defense was not very good as 5 of the runs that BSU gave up were unearned. One bright spot in this game was Derek Grabner's long-relief outing. He pitched 5 innings, only giving up 2 runs to keep the game somewhat close.

In the second game, BSU took a 3-0 lead after three innings and got some strong pitching to get a 5-1 victory. Kolbrin Vitek started the game and threw 4 innings without allowing a run. Perci Garner came in and pitched the next four inning, allowing 1 run with 6 strikeouts. Seth Hobbs threw a scoreless ninth inning. The offensive charge was led by TJ Baumet's 3 hits. It was the second time this year that BSU has beaten a team ranked in the top 15. The Cardinals are now 6-13 on the season. They play at Notre Dame (7-10) on Tuesday before starting MAC play over the weekend.

The BSU softball team had a weird day yesterday. Their 11am game against Eastern Michigan was canceled due to snow on the field, but their 7pm game against Norther Colorado was played.......indoors! Elizabeth Milian threw a 1-hit shutout for BSU, striking out 6 batters. The offense was led by Alyssa Collins and Jessie Ware with 3 hits each. Sunday's games against Missouri and Northern Colorado have been canceled. The Cards travel to Dayton on Wednesday for a double header then get the weekend off. BSU is 17-6 so far this season.