The Ball State and IPFW softball teams should have a good idea about one another when they meet today for a 2 p.m. doubleheader in Fort Wayne.
Both schools have struggled this season on offense and with the team record. IPFW (5-22) has a team batting average of .223, while Ball State (13-26) owns a team batting average of .206.
Both IPFW and Ball State have been outscored by 100 or more runs this year. IPFW has been outscored 182-68 this season, while the Cards have been outdone 193-93. Opposing teams have held the Mastodons to an ERA of 2.09, while opposing pitchers have held BSU to 1.65.
"We have the upper hand," coach Terri Laux said. "But you still don't take anybody lightly. Hopefully we can use these two games to get better on the things we need to work on."
IPFW is in the midst of a five-game losing skid. Jenna Beachy leads the Mastodons with a .304 batting average. Jenna Connelly (2-12) leads the team with a 4.45 ERA.
The Cardinals struggled at home last weekend, winning just one game out of four. BSU had problems scoring runs, plating only four scores over the weekend.
"We outhit Western, had more runners on than them, but we left them there," Laux said. "It goes back to bringing the same approach in the batters box. Our approach changes a little bit with runners in scoring position -- we get too tight."
Kelli Jeziorski continues to lead the team in hitting (.262), hits (30) and runs (13). Nikki Hellem (6-9) has the most wins and owns a 3.49 ERA. Amy Brownfield (5-6) owns a team-best 2.99 ERA. She has 10 complete games out of the 14 starts.
"Amy is doing a great job," Laux said. "If our pitchers keep us in the game, we have to have our offense win it for us."
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