MUNCIE, Ind. — Success is no stranger to Ball State’s head baseball coach, Rich Maloney. Approaching his 1000th win in his 30th season as a head coach, Maloney believes his squad has what it takes to be at the top of the MAC conference food chain.
“I like our chances, I really do,” said Maloney following Tuesday’s non-conference match-up against the Illinois State Redbirds.
“I think we got a group that is capable. We just gotta find the right timing of events with the right line-up, and I think if we do that, we’ll have a chance.”
Earlier in the month, the Cardinals were projected to win the Mid-American Conference in a coaches' poll, a level of success they have achieved in recent years. In 2023, the Cardinals won the MAC Tournament and advanced to the NCAA’s Lexington Regional (Hosted by the University of Kentucky). However, in 2024, the Cardinals fell short in the MAC Championship, losing to Western Michigan 10-3 after a 35-win campaign.
Junior first baseman Blake Bevis was on both Cardinal squads and believes the negative experience from last season can make a positive impact this year.
“We've seen both sides of it and know what it takes to get to the top and know what it takes when we fall short,” voiced Bevis. “The guys that have been through it have really honed in on holding (the team) to a higher standard and making sure we’re doing things the right way.”
Bevis is one of many Cardinals who have turned heads during non-conference play. Ball State returns 17 players from last year’s roster, including two who have earned All-MAC accolades in
past seasons.
“I think we got some three good starters, and I also think we got a really good closer,” claimed Maloney in regards to his pitching staff. “In the line-up, I think Blake Bevis is gonna have to hit. I think Alex Richter’s capable. Dylan Grego's capable. I think Ty Davis is capable. Clay Jacobs is a good player. so, I mean, we got a lot of guys that are capable, they just gotta do it.”
With expectations high, the Cardinals will look to make the most of their conference opportunities, the first of which is a home series with the aforementioned Western Michigan Broncos starting on March 7th.
Contact Jayden Collins with comments at jayden.collins@bsu.edu.
