Three Ball State University softball players are each one home run shy of taking over the top of the Ball State record book.
Seniors Kelli Jeziorski and Taylor Yancey are each on the verge of tying the single season home run record of six, which was set by Misty Snider in 1999. Junior Abby Gross is close to tying the career home run record of 12, which was set by Ruth Hjelmeland from 2000-2003.
Yancey, who plays third base, said she did not know how close the trio was to the records.
"I was unaware of that, so that's even more fun," Yancey said. "I'm excited for all three of us."
Gross is also closing in on the single-season record, with four home runs this season. Yancey and Jeziorski are both competing for the career mark as well, with nine and 10 home runs, respectively. Gross, Jeziorski and Yancey are currently No. 2, 3 and 4 in the Ball State record books for career home runs, respectively.
"I think it's awesome because in past years we've hardly hit," Gross said. "We probably hit as many home runs in two seasons as we have this year."
The Cardinals have hit 22 home runs as a team this season, a single season team record. They hit 28 over the previous two seasons, with 18 in 2005 and 10 in 2006, so they have not matched the two-year output yet.
Ball State broke the team record for home runs in a season March 14 when the catcher, Gross, hit the team's 19th of the year against Jacksonville University.
Yancey said the Cardinals are a close-knit family. It is fun to share in the success of her teammates, she said.
"We were all just excited," Yancey said. "If you have any involvement in something like that at all, it's amazing."
Jeziorski, the Cardinals' left fielder, said she is excited that the three veterans are having so much success.
"I think it's awesome," she said. "It shows that we bought into the system. We got to go out there and do what we can for the team and trust the coaches."
The three players said coach Craig Nicholson emphasizes putting weight on the back leg while in their batting stance.
The new swing has been a key factor in the increased power, Yancey said.
"You really use your full body instead of just using your arms," she said. "[The coaches] really stress getting your lower body involved. That generates a lot more power."
Jeziorski said the coaches tweaked her swing. The new swing incorporates new fundamentals and a new mind-set, she said.
"I'm just getting out in front," Jeziorski said.
The previous coach, Terri Laux, did not have a set way to hit, Yancey said. She said Laux basically allowed the players to use the same stance they had in high school.
"I've never had a strict philosophy like what coach Nicholson brings," Yancey said. "It's definitely helpful."
Jeziorski, Yancey and Gross, who bat second, third and fourth, are the Cardinals' best opportunity for driving in runs, Nicholson said.
"Obviously it's nice to have a middle of the order that can at any time get a key hit, at any time score a run with one swing," he said. "That's always a good feeling."
While the Cardinals are excited about their historic run, they are not too worried about it.
"It would be neat," Gross said. "It's not exactly the top thing on my list. It would still be really neat to do."
Rather, the Cardinals are focusing more on just going out and playing and preparing for Indiana.
Ball State got a look at the Hoosiers when the teams played in the Southern Illinois University Tournament March 4.
"One of the things that we kinda saw is that we can run on them a bit," Nicholson said. "So I expect that we'll be able to do that some if we have the right situation and the right people. We kinda learned about how to pitch to their hitters. Who tend to be a little careful with and who to go after."
For Jeziorski and Yancey, it will be the final home-opener of their collegiate careers. It will also be the first home game for Nicholson as the coach of Ball State.
"For me honestly, I hate to say it's just another game," Nicholson said. "It's a little bit more than that but it's not something that I'm going to stay up all night thinking about."
Gross said it will be key for the Cardinals to cut down on errors. Jeziorski said the team has to take over the game to win.
"Too many times we just sat back and let them take control of the game," Jeziorski said. "We got to come out and take control from the very beginning. Show them that we are there to compete."
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