After a strong weekend on the road in Louisville and two players earning titles from the Mid-American Conference West Division, Ball State (13-10) travels to Fort Collins, Colo. for the Colorado State Spring Tournament.
This is the last road tournament before the team begins their conference schedule. Marist, Colorado State and Columbia are among the competition in the five-game weekend.
Strong offensive play has been to thank for a majority of the Cardinals’ success this season.
Sophomore second baseman Taylor Cox was named MAC Division West Player of the Week after continuous strong play at the plate throughout the Louisville Classic, going 8-12 overall with seven singles.
“We have some people that are really getting confident especially at the plate,” coach Craig Nicholson said.
He is working his team on being offensively prepared and having aggressive at bats.
Staying patient and taking advantage of pitching errors are aspects of the game he plans for his team to focus on this weekend.
Marist is 6-9 on the season as they prepare to face Ball State Friday morning in the first game of the tournament.
“They are very good offensively,” Nicholson said of the Red Foxes. “I think there are some things we can take advantage with pitching and defense.”
The Red Foxes have a team-combined slugging average of .383 compared to .498 by the Cardinals and 25 total doubles on the season compared to the Cardinals’ MAC-leading 45 doubles.
Colorado State will be the second game for Ball State on Friday. They are 13-14 on the season after five road tournaments.
“They are a solid team,” Nicholson said.
The second day of the tournament will continue with Ball State facing Columbia on Friday morning.
“We just want to continue to get better in some areas that we have struggled a little bit with early on.” Nicholson said. “Continue to grow as a team and keep playing well.”
