The Ball State softball team will face the Butler Bulldogs in a doubleheader Friday, marking the final game of outside competition in the fall season.
With a 5-2 record, the Cardinals are coming off a runner-up finish at the IUPUI Invitational. Butler won and handed the Cards their only loss in the tourney.
"We didn't play that well against Butler, so I think we need to play well since it is our last outside competition for the fall," head coach Terri Laux said. "We need to go out on a strong note."
A strong and abundant freshman class has developed well over the fall season, and the class has highlighted Ball State's progress so far.
"I think, collectively, the freshmen class has just done an outstanding job as far being able to play at this level and be consistent," Laux said. "They have shown great work ethic and improvement the past five weeks. They've done an outstanding job.
"Having some team chemistry and team unity is something that you would like to work when you have such a large group of new people," Laux said. "That says a lot about the returnees' leadership and what they want to accomplish."
Team efforts have also led the way this season for BSU, which has no definitive individual statistical leaders.
"There has not been one or two top performers, which is a good thing from my perspective because we're not going to win with one or two people, Laux said. "We've had team wins and not just one or two people stepping up."
Sophomore Quincy Duran in the first game and Amy Brownfield in game two are the projected starters for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals' doubleheader will begin at 2 p.m. at the BSU Softball Complex, with a Red- and White-Scrimmage game on Saturday and an Alumni game Oct. 17 to conclude the fall season.