After splitting a two-game series with Middle Tennessee State last weekend, Ball State travels to Alabama-Birmingham. The Dragons swept Mid-American Conference West Division preseason favorite Central Michigan last weekend in a three-game series.
"We've got a lot of respect for Central Michigan," BSU coach Greg Beals said. "It let's me know that Alabama-Birmingham has a pretty good ball club."
The Cardinals (1-1) fly south to take on UAB in a three-game series starting today. The Cardinals opened by defeating the Blue Raiders 7-4, but were obliterated 11-2 in the second game. The third game was called off due to rain.
Outfielders Eric Earnhart and Mike Sullivan led the team in hitting. Earnhart, a junior-college transfer, notched a .600 batting average, going three for five over the weekend. Sullivan, a three-year starter, finished four for nine.
Beals looks for the middle of the lineup to improve from last weekend's performance, especially first baseman Brad Miller and leftfielders Marc Franz. In the six at-bats apiece, Miller finished with two hits, both of which batted in runs, and Franz one double.
Joe Ness will again take the mound in game one after recording eight strikeouts in five innings. He allowed four runs on seven hits, including three home runs, in the Cardinals win. Ben Snyder gets the call on Saturday and Ryan DeGeeter on Sunday.
The relievers are expected to continue producing results like last weekend, Beals said. Michael Hale pitched three innings in relief, finishing with a strikeout and no hits or runs. Erik Morrison, Kyle Heyne and Tyler Pritchard each pitched an inning in relief over the weekend, and Luke Behning threw almost two. Heyne, Pritchard and Behning combined for four strikeouts but gave up five runs on six hits on Saturday. Morrison relieved Hale in the ninth in the first game and recorded the save with a no-hit ninth.
"We look for them to build [from last weekend] on their next time out," Beals said of the bullpen. "We're looking to just keep making progressions."
Alabama-Birmingham is led by junior infielder Ryan Metcalf, who finished with five hits on 10 at-bats. J.R. Bond is second in batting average at .364, but Beals said the Blazers swing the bat well as a team. He also said UAB is deep in its pitching staff.
"They don't have what I would say real studs," he said. "They're returning a lot of guys from last year's staff -- guys with experience, guys who know how to pitch."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
