As the Ball State University softball team enters Mid-American Conference play this weekend, the players view it as the beginning of a new season.
The Cardinals (9-17) will play their first conference games this weekend. The remainder of the team's schedule consists primarily of MAC teams.
"To me, it's about going out and being successful in your conference," coach Craig Nicholson said. "It's like starting a second season for us. We'll go out, keep working on getting better."
The Cardinals travel to Ohio University (11-16) to play a double-header against the Bobcats today. Ball State then heads to the University of Akron (8-11) for a pair of games, one Saturday and one Sunday.
Ball State did play conference foe Northern Illinois University at the Hawkeye Classic March 25. The Cardinals lost the game 6-4, but it did not count in MAC standings.
Wednesday, the Cardinals defeated Indiana University 8-0. It's good for Ball State to enter MAC play after a solid win, Nicholson said.
"We're playing well, we're starting to really understand things at the plate and we're obviously getting good pitching," he said. "So we're ready to go, we're ready to start conference."
The Cardinals enter the weekend with a two-game winning streak, which is tied with the team's longest winning streak this season. They got their other consecutive wins when they swept a double-header against Jacksonville University March 14.
Junior Amanda Pick said she thinks the Cardinals can win all four of their games this weekend to open conference play.
"I'm actually expecting us to do extremely well," Pick said.
"We played some great competition in our non-conference [games] and to do so well, as we have, I'm expecting us to be well over .500 in MAC play."
At this point last season, under coach Terri Laux, the Cardinals were also 9-17.
One of the biggest differences from last season is the change in the team's mentality that Nicholson has brought, Pick said.
"We're going into each game knowing we can win and expecting to win," she said. "In the past, if we won, it was kind of a surprise."
Pick said she wants to be a leader for the Cardinals at the plate and on the mound. The junior plays first base and pitches for Ball State.
She went 3-3 and scored a run in Wednesday's win against Indiana.
Ball State has played tough competition this season, Pick said. However, she said those games are in the past, and the team is starting from scratch.
"As of right now, it's looking ahead," Pick said. "The non-conference is over and we're starting a new season really this weekend."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
