After winning 16 consecutive series, the Ball State baseball team fell twice in three games at Kent State over the weekend.
Despite seeing his team's streak end, Ball State head coach Rich Maloney continues to look at the bigger picture.
"We have the whole season ahead of us," Maloney said. "We still have big series coming up with Central Michigan and Toledo."
In its first game against Kent State—a 3-0 loss—Ball State was held scoreless for just the second time this season. The only other team that had managed it prior was Big Ten opponent Illinois.
Zach Plesac threw a complete game in the first contest, allowing three earned runs in eight innings of work.
Ball State managed double-digit hits once in the series, totaling 10 in the third matchup on April 12. A late-game comeback fell just short as well, as the Cardinals scored five runs on three hits in the ninth after entering the inning down 11-2.
"We got to see [Kent State's closer Zach Willeman] for the first time today," Maloney said. "We were able to get five runs off of him, which was good to see."
Ball State was outhit 23-28 in the series, allowing 15 hits to Kent State in the final game. The Cardinals outhit the Golden Flashes in their only win, a 4-2 victory on April 11.
Trevor Henderson recorded the win, pitching 5.1 innings while striking out three.
Alex Call led the cardinals in offense over the weekend, going five of 12 at the plate. Call batted .417 in the series. Ryan Spaulding went three for five, with two RBIs and a run scored in the series finale.
"The chance we will play [Kent State] in the postseason is pretty good," Maloney said. "Last year we beat them all three times we played them in the regular season, and then they beat us in the postseason."
Ball State hosts Butler at 3 p.m. April 15 at Ball Diamond, returning home the same day.
Read More
AP: Donald Trump said he wants to ban trans athletes from competing. The reality is more nuanced
By The Associated Press / 21 hours agoWhat, exactly, Trump will do when he takes office on Jan. 20 is unclear. His transition team has not divulged any specifics, though the president-elect said during his campaign that the process would be “easy.”
'It's something we've always lived for:' Delta outlasts Muncie Central in overtime victory
By Zach Carter / YesterdayDelta junior Lucas Brag led with 16 points as the Eagles defeated the Muncie Central Bearcats 49-46.
Ball State wins back-to-back games with win over Evansville
By Zach Carter / YesterdaySenior center Payton Sparks led with 20 points as Ball State downed Evansville 80-43.
