For Ball State, the biggest conference test of the season could come in this weekend's series with Mid-American Conference West division favorite Central Michigan (18-19, 7-5 MAC).
The Cardinals (11-23, 7-4 MAC) enter this series a half game out of first place in the division, while the Chippewas are a full game out of first.
The Cardinals have dropped six of 10 games to the Chippewas in the last three years, but look to reverse that mark.
Junior right-hander Cal Bowling will take the mound this afternoon in game one for Ball State.
Bowling (4-2, 2.10 ERA) will be making his 10th start of the season. His 60 innings pitched leads the Cardinals pitching staff on the season.
Bowling is nearly unbeatable in conference play this season, as he has recorded a 0.77 ERA in 35 innings of work.
In his last outing, Bowling came up an inning short of his fourth straight complete game.
The Chippewas will counter with junior left-hander Trent Howard (3-3, 1.95 ERA).
Howard has tossed 60 innings for Central Michigan and has struck out 66 batters to just 13 walks on the season.
Freshman first baseman Kenny Mahala leads the team with a .325 batting average and four home runs. Mahala is second on the team in RBIs, with 19 on the season.
Both teams match up well with one another statistically, but the series could come down to who makes the most plays and the fewest mental mistakes.
First pitch is set for 3 p.m. this afternoon at Ball Diamond.
Read More
Ball State tops Texas A&M in second game of Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament
By Logan Connor / 15 hours ago“It's the reason you come to play in tournaments like this, to play really good basketball teams,” head coach Brady Salle said after his team's Battle 4 Atlantis win
Indiana Pacers defeat the Washington Wizards at home
By Derran Cobb / 18 hours agoIn the Pacers first of four straight home games, the Blue and Gold would defeat the Wizards 115-103. Pascal Siakam led the way with 22 points.
Cardinals fall to Western Michigan in MAC Championship Final
By Daniel Kehn / 20 hours agoBall State ended the 2024 season with a loss to Western Michigan in the Mid-American Conference Championship Final.
