Two softball teams picked to be among the top of the Mid-American Conference pecking order this season will meet when Ball State (4-12, 0-3 MAC) battles Ohio (3-9, 0-2) in a Wednesday doubleheader at Athens, Ohio. Both teams will be playing with a sense of urgency after struggling to find wins in the preseason and being swept by known opponents during conference home-openers.
Problems that Ball State encountered during the preseason appeared to have been resolved when the team began conference play against Northern Illinois last weekend. However, a few new issues arose such as pitching in late innings and not being able to get clutch hits to drive in runners already in scoring position.
In Sunday's series finale with the Huskies, the Cardinals left nine runners stranded on base.
"Right now, it doesn't matter who we play," head coach Terri Laux said. "We haven't been able to do the things we've needed to do. We have been hitting the ball, but just not at the right times."
Laux said the problem is a matter of batters getting anxious at the plate and trying to do too much, when a base hit is all that is needed. She said many players have been changing their approach by means of trying to make big plays.
"We have to be consistent at the plate, regardless of the situation," the coach added.
The pitching staff has also been unable to close out games when having an early lead throughout much of the season thus far. An example would be Saturday's 3-2 lead over Northern Illinois going into the seventh inning. The Huskies were able to mount a six-run rally, which included a double and a home run to come from behind and win 8-3.
"What the pitching staff has to do is get better at painting the corners," Laux said. "At this level, they are not going to get by with just speed."
Freshman Nicki Hellam has not been able to pitch due to injury and has been playing first base in recent games. The coach said Hellam should be able to return to the mound Wednesday against the Bobcats.-á
The game will feature two of the league's best hitters in Ball State senior shortstop Katie Shea (.435 average, nine runs scored and seven RBIs) and the MAC East player of the week, Erin Chapman, a junior outfielder from Ohio. Chapman is currently riding an eight game hitting streak and has compiled a .500 (16-of-32) batting average on the season.-á-á
The doubleheader will mark the first time the two teams have met in three years.
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