Halfway through the season and four games into league play, Ball State has hit 30 home runs, 61 doubles, 181 RBIs and has a team-combined slugging percentage of .519 to show for its more than capable play at the plate.
The team holds the school record and the Mid-American Conference record of 61 team doubles on the season.
The freshmen have had no trouble adding to the strong team offense.
Shortstop Emily Dabkowski contributed to the team’s record for doubles early on as she has chipped in two doubles during her eleven career at bats.
Outfielders Sammi Cowger and Sasha Margulies recorded a hit and a run scored each in their first collegiate appearances at the plate in late February against Grambling State.
Junior left fielder Jennifer Gilbert recently broke the school record for career home runs against Florida International with 12 on the season and 45 in her career to date. She added four home runs to her stats during Saturday’s double-header against Toledo.
Sophomore outfielder Hanne Stuedemann and junior third baseman Audrey Bickel trail Gilbert with five and four home runs on the season, respectively.
Sophomore second baseman Taylor Cox was MAC West Division player of the week for the first time in her career as she helped lead the Cardinals at the plate going 5-for-9 as leadoff batter against Wisconsin and No. 24 North Carolina in the Louisville Classic.
Cox uses repetition in practice to better her game and perfect skills she needs to continue contributing to the team’s offense.
Coach Craig Nicholson works his team on hitting by making sure players get in swings during each practice and working on adjustment to different pitches.
Ball State will move on to IPFW on Wednesday and continue building on their record-breaking play at the plate throughout their MAC schedule.
