With four teams in the mix for the Mid-American Conference West Division title, the Ball State University baseball team hopes to start separating itself from the pack with a series win against Eastern Michigan University.
Eastern Michigan is among the four teams within two games, the others being Central Michigan University and Western Michigan University. The Chippewas lead the division with a 9-3 conference record while the other three schools all hold 7-5 marks.
"The thing I talked to the team about was we need to play with confidence," coach Greg Beals said. "We need to play with the confidence that a championship team has. We're that caliber. We need to trust ourselves and play with that level of confidence. Play with a little arrogance to it."
The Cardinals (19-16 overall, 7-5 MAC) look to rebound against the Eagles (16-16 overall, 7-5 MAC) after a disappointing series loss to MAC East Division leader Kent State last weekend.
"I think Friday is going to be a very big day for us," Matt Gard said. "We need to go out and put up some runs and pitch the ball well. I think if we can get rolling there on Friday, we can take care of the rest of the weekend."
Slow starts offensively have plagued the Cardinals recently. Until Tuesday's game at Xavier, the Cardinals weren't able to put much up offensively in the beginning stages of games.
"Last weekend we put up some good innings and we just couldn't put a complete game together," left fielder Chris Pestle said. "At this point in the season, we're trying to do everything we can to control things we can control."
Despite falling behind 7-0 in the first three innings, Ball State pulled out a 17-15 win against Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne a week ago. The Cardinals fell behind early in two of three games against Kent State but was able to win in the second instance, 10-9.
Two runs in the first two innings gave Ball State the early lead against Xavier, but the Muskateers tied the game in the fifth inning. A run in the eighth gave Ball State a 3-2 win. Center fielder Mike Sullivan extended his hitting streak to 14 against Xavier. The streak ties Justin Rogers' mark from earlier this season.
Beals said the team has been pressing a little bit in recent games with the expectations they've place on themselves for the season.
"What I'm trying to teach the guys is play with personality, play the way you are, don't let the game dictate your mood and how you do," he said. "Have that consistent approach to competition and just go out and attack the game and play to win."
Eastern Michigan only has two players batting above .300, but one of them is Steve Bradshaw, who's .373 average is fourth best in the conference. The Eagles also have one of the best starting pitchers in the MAC in Jeff Fisher, who's 1.86 ERA is second best in the league.
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