Six days removed from building a winning streak to eight with a 31-19 win against Valparaiso University, the Ball State University baseball team has since lost three of its last four games.
The Cardinals (16-14) travel to Dayton University (16-12) to play the Flyers, looking to rebound from a series loss to Mid-American Conference opponent Ohio University (losing two of three) and a loss at the University of Notre Dame.
While Justin Rogers, Mike Sullivan and Matt Singleton have continued 12, eight-and-seven game hitting streaks, several other Cardinals have gone cold at the plate.
Brad Miller went 2-for-10 during the Ohio series, while Kyle Dygert finished 1-for-13, and C.J. Webb went 1-for-9. A week ago, Miller was on a nine-game hitting streak, and Webb was on an eight-game streak. Earlier in the season, Dygert had safely hit eight straight games.
"Just happens sometimes," Miller said. "That's why you've got to hope that the defense is always there and the pitching is always there because the offense can't come to the park everyday."
The Cardinals had several opportunities to drive in runs against Ohio - including situations with the bases loaded - but weren't able to take advantage.
"Our hitters have got to be more selective," coach Greg Beals said. "The pitchers are going to pitch tough. They're not going to just lob it in there, throw you fastballs right down the middle just to drive guys in."
On Saturday, the Cardinals loaded the bases with two out when Singleton was hit by a pitch, and Sullivan and Miller were walked. After a pitching change by Ohio, Dygert popped out to third base, ending the inning. Ball State lost the game, 4-3.
"We've been overanxious at swinging at bad pitches when we've gotten into those big situations on offense," Beals said. "Our guys just have to stay selectively aggressive in those situations and not try too hard."
The Bobcats made a lot of good defensive plays that prevented the Cardinals from getting on base or scoring, Beals said.
"They were a team that was not defending very well coming into this weekend and this weekend they made all their plays, and it made it tough on us," he said.
Dayton is on a six-game winning streak. The Flyers swept Richmond in a three-game series over the weekend, including a 27-17 win in game one.
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