Brad Miller was named Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week for his performance against Central Michigan over the weekend.
Miller hit three home runs while going 5-for-9 over the weekend, batting in seven Ball State runs. Before the weekend, he had managed just one home run in 31 games. He's tied with Marc Franz, Mike Sullivan and Jason Bucholtz as the top Cardinals hitters with a .331 batting average. The award is Miller's first of the season and second of his career.
"Miller was pressing even through our win streak," coach Greg Beals said. "This weekend was big for him, to hit a few home runs. More than anything, a guy that's competitive, like Brad is, wants to come through for his teammates, and I think that was the biggest thing, to get the monkey off his back."
The junior first baseman also made a diving catch along the first base line on a popped up bunt attempt in the ninth inning on Sunday that helped the Cardinals hold on to a 7-6 win.
"Brad Miller doesn't get enough credit for how good he plays defense," Beals said. "He's the big guy who hits in the middle of the lineup, that hits for some power. When you think of Brad Miller, you think about an offensive hitter. He's as good a defensive first baseman as I've been around."
Indiana visits Ball State (23-11) at 3 p.m. today at Ball Diamond. The Cardinals will be without relief pitcher Kory Bucklew potentially for the remainder of the season with a broken finger. Bucklew was hit with a line drive during Friday's game against Central Michigan.
"Kory was a left hander who got a lot of appearances, a guy we went to a lot in the bullpen," Beals said. "We've got guys who are very capable, and somebody's gonna have to step up. The whole bullpen is gonna have to step up and take care of that business for us."
IU (19-15) lost the first two games against Iowa over the weekend before taking game three, 11-7. The Hoosiers are tied with Michigan at the cellar of the Big 10 standings at 3-9 in conference play.
Ball State's game with the Hoosiers in Bloomington earlier this season was rained out and was not made up.
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