Two Ball State pitchers were rewarded for their performances this season when the Mid-American Conference announced its regular season awards.
Closer Erik Morrison was named MAC Pitcher of the Year for his record-breaking season, and Ben Snyder was named MAC Freshman of the Year.
Morrison is only the second pitcher in Ball State history to be named MAC Pitcher of the Year, following in the footsteps of Bryan Bullington, who won the award in 2001 and 2002.
Morrison broke Ball State's record for most saves in a season and equaled the MAC record of 15 during the regular season. The senior closer finished the regular season 6-0 with a 1.16 ERA in 38.2 innings of work. He allowed just five earned runs on 25 hits in 26 appearances. Opponents only hit for a .182 batting average and struck out 38 times when facing him. Against conference opponents, Morrison finished 4-0 with a 0.93 ERA and six saves.
In over two innings of work against Bowling Green in the opening game of the MAC tournament, Morrison shut down the Falcons in the 11th inning. After struggling against the first seven batters he faced in the ninth and 10th innings, allowing a run on four hits, Morrison sent all three BG batters he faced back to the dugout in the 11th. The three outs included a strikeout against Tyler Wasserman that ended the half-inning.
"You can't put [his impact this season] into words, to have a guy be perfect, knock on wood," coach Greg Beals said. "He's figured into 21 of our 36 [regular season] wins. That's just huge to have a guy like that on your team and to have a guy have a season like that."
Snyder is the fourth Ball State player to be named the MAC Freshman of the Year and the third Cardinals pitcher to garner the award.
In 14 appearances and 13 starts, he finished the regular season with an 8-4 overall record and a 3.81 ERA. In conference play, he went 7-0 with a 2.82 ERA. During MAC play, he was twice named MAC West Division Pitcher of the Week. Against Oakland on March 19, he struck out 14 batters in a 4-0 win, and on April 30, he struck out 11 against Eastern Michigan in a 17-16 win that went 11 innings. Opposing hitters only managed a .220 batting average against Snyder.
Along with their individual awards, Morrison and Snyder were named to the All-MAC First Team. Joining them were two teammates, second baseman Kyle Dygert and center fielder Mike Sullivan. Starting pitcher Joe Ness was named to the All-MAC Second Team.
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