Today's doubleheader against Purdue marks the first home game this season for the Ball State softball team, as it looks to improve on a 6-19 record.
The Cardinals come off four losses at the Hawkeye Classic last weekend, dropping two games apiece to both Iowa and Wisconsin.
Despite their struggles throughout the season, Ball State has some good news coming into today's game. Sophomore pitcher Quincy Duran is expected to return after a three-week absence with a left leg stress fracture. Coach Terri Laux wasn't sure how much Duran will throw against Purdue, but is excited about her return, saying she "gives us another dimension from the mound."
"She has a great aura of confidence and brings that to the mound," Laux said.
Purdue, which leads the series 12-7, and has won 11 of the last 12 games against Ball State since 1995, is on a three-game winning streak. The Boilermakers head into today's game with a 21-10 record, and have won 10 of their last 13 games.
Purdue will not have All-American Andrea Hillsey, who is out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. Aside from that injury, Purdue is solid in all aspects of the game, Laux said. They have power, speed, and are able to advance runners.
"They're solid. We're going to have to play a couple of very good games to be successful," she said.
Boilermakers freshman Brook Baker was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week this week for her performance last weekend against IPFW. Baker has a 1.66 ERA and a 12-2 record.
For Ball State, Kris Burdine leads the team with a .304 batting average and has 24 hits, while Darla Dewig leads the Cardinals in RBI with 12.
Consistency has been an issue, Laux said. The team doesn't come into each game with the same type of energy every time, and has broken down fundamentally.
"Anytime you get in a situation like that, it's hard to tell which team you have out there," she said. "As a whole we need to step up. There's not one player that's going to make or break us."
The team has gotten into old habits that had previously been successful, Laux said.
"The more you press, you're going to go back to what's been successful for you, and that doesn't always work at this level."
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