It's only the second week of Mid-American Conference play, butalready Greg Beals is emphasizing the importance of his team'sseries this weekend against Northern Illinois.
The Cardinals, who improved to 11-10 with Wednesday's 4-1victory at Purdue, stand at 1-2 in the Mid-American Conference,fourth in the West Division, after last weekend's struggles atBowling Green. The series at Ball Diamond, which begins with a 3p.m. contest today, will be the first for Northern (12-11) inleague play.
"We need to make up ground and win the series," Beals said."Northern Illinois is a good opponent. They were picked in the tophalf of the division, and they're playing good baseball. It's achance to re-establish ourselves atop the division."
The Huskies are led by sophomore designated hitter Scott Simon,who leads the MAC with his 37 RBI and is fourth with a .418average. Third baseman Rob Marconi (.374) and right fielder EricSancousi (.344) are the next-best hitters.
"Scott Simon is hitting well and driving in a lot of runs,"Beals said. "He's someone we have to get out. They have two goodleft-handed pitchers, and they use their bullpen wisely."
Those two left-handers would be seniors Zach Minor (4-0, 1.41ERA) and Joe Piekarz (3-3, 2.30). Minor's ERA ranks third in theMAC, and he is holding opposing batters to a .185 average. TrevorWohlgemuth (0.71, three saves) heads the relievers.
Ball State will counter with starting pitchers Mike Johnston(1-3, 4.66), Joe Ness (3-1, 3.82) and Andrew Anderson (3-1, 2.45).The Cards' team ERA of 3.83 is second in the league only to BowlingGreen.
Although Johnston's stats lag behind the other two, Bealsbelieves that's more a testament to how Ness and Anderson arepitching and doesn't plan on moving Johnston from the No. 1spot.
"He pitched a great game at Bowling Green, and he's pitchingwell," Beals said of the senior left-hander. "He's right where wethought he would be.
"Pitching on Fridays is tougher because you're facing the otherteam's No. 1. (Johnston's) ERA is lower than last year, so he'sdoing well."
With his team's offense still a work in progress (.282 teamaverage, seventh in the MAC), Beals is somewhat anxious to see howhis lineup fares against Northern's stud southpaws.
"Our lineup is fairly balanced," he said. "The matchup doesn'tbother me from the standpoint of left and right so much as how wellthey're pitching."
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