"Gritty."
That’s the word Ball State Baseball head coach Rich Maloney used to describe the Cardinals (8-8, 3-1 MAC) approach this season.
“They’re gritty and never say die,” Maloney said. “They believe in themselves and they believe in each other and they got it done. A lot of different guys had to contribute.”
On March 13, Ball State defeated Eastern Michigan (3-10, 1-3 MAC) in both games of the doubleheader. Junior transfer catcher/designated hitter Matthew Rivera personified Maloney’s description of the Cardinals attitude.
In what was a 1-0 game, Rivera came in to pinch hit in the first game Sunday. Rivera then hit a two RBI single in what would ultimately be the winning hit for Ball State, who won 2-1.
“I was waiting for this moment,” Rivera said. “I just got in the box, didn’t think much and just let it fly. Good things worked out.”
As a result of this clutch hit, Rivera started the three games after and went three-for-nine with one home run, five RBIs and three walks over four games. Maloney said he was waiting for someone to step up.
In the second game, Ball State won 6-4. Sophomore second baseman Zach Lane led the Cardinals with three hits, including a home run and a double, with three RBIS.
When the Cardinals hit a home run, they come together in a circle by the dugout and the home run hitter grabs a mallet and hits a gong to celebrate. Lane said his first home run this weekend began a fun tradition for him.
“We and the fans learned the tradition of hitting the big gong after a home run,” Lane said. “That was pretty cool and there are many more to come.”
Lane went 5-for-12 on the weekend with one home run and three RBIs.
Maloney said the Cardinals came ready to play on the 13th. He said there was a specific moment in game two that allowed Ball State to win.
“I think the play [Trenton] Quartermaine made in game two was a game changer,” Maloney said. “That would have been a double down the [first base] line scoring two runs; instead, we turn around and hit two jacks and score three runs.”
Monday afternoon, the Cardinals got off to a slow start. Freshman right handed pitcher Adam Falinski for the Eagles held Ball State hitless through the first five innings.
Fifth year Amir Wright broke the no hitter with a solo home run, but in the seven inning game, it was too late. The Eagles came away with their only win in the series, 4-2.
On the 13th, Maloney said Falinski would be a challenge on the 14th and acknowledged he kept the Cardinals off balance. Falinski pitched all seven innings, giving up three hits, one earned run, striking out five and walking four.
“At the end of game three, we made a great run and had we played a nine inning game, I think we’d have come out on top,” Maloney said.
In game four, it was a slugfest. The Cardinals went down 7-2 in the seventh inning, but in the bottom of the same inning, Ball State made a comeback, scoring nine runs and ultimately won11-8.
Maloney said the comeback was huge for the Cardinals and it helped them learn a lot about themselves.
“That was huge for us,” Maloney said. “To have the big inning finally after waiting and waiting and waiting. It came from a lot of different guys too, which was great.”
Seven Cardinals had two hits, the biggest of which coming from senior infielder Justin Conant, who hit a three-run home run. Maloney said Ball State’s depth was the key to their three victories this weekend.
Rivera is a transfer from Harford Community College and got his first taste of Mid-American Conference [MAC] baseball this weekend. He said the games were more competitive and he can tell everyone has their eyes on the prize.
“You could feel it in the atmosphere,” Rivera said. “Everyone is locked in. Everyone wants the championship game at the end of the season and it all starts here.”
The standout Cardinal pitcher over the four games was sophomore right handed pitcher Sam Klein, who recorded a save in all three of Ball State’s wins.
Maloney said the confidence level is high for Ball State right now. He said the Cardinals have been waiting for an offensive barrage that came over the course of these four games and fight for their wins.
“It was really encouraging to win the series and end on a high note with a great comeback,” Maloney said. “These guys just keep coming at you.”
Ball State returns to Ball Diamond in Muncie from March 18-20 against MAC opponent Bowling Green (2-11, 0-4 MAC). The Cardinals and Falcons will play one game on the 18th, a doubleheader on the 19th and one to close on the 20th.
Contact Kyle Smedley on Twitter @smedley1932 or via email at kyle.smedley@bsu.edu
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