The Ball State University softball team didn't win a conference title this season, but for coach Craig Nicholson, the biggest thing was getting his players experience.
Ball State (22-34, 8-14 Mid-American Conference) had four freshman and four sophomores on its 12-player roster.
Each freshman played in at least 47 games, and all but one sophomore played in more than 29 games.
"The big thing for us is our freshmen and sophomores will get a ton of playing time," Nicholson said. "There is no substitute for game experience and there isn't enough practice and weight room that can provide players with the value of game experience."
While the underclassmen were able to see a good amount of the playing field, they were also some of the Cardinals' most productive contributors. Sophomore Allie Pennock led all freshman and sophomores with a .270 batting average, which was the third-highest mark on the team.
On the mound, freshman Ethan Milan led the Cardinals with 221 innings pitched, 25 complete games and a 3.42 ERA. In addition, Milan's 25 RBIs was the second most for Ball State.
By the end of their careers, Nicholson said the production should increase dramatically.
"Some of those kids are going to be big parts of our program for years to come," Nicholson said. "Several of those are younger kids and the experience is going to help them down the road."
Nicholson said one reason the freshmen and sophomores received playing time was because of the Cardinals' roster size.
Ball State had the fewest number of players of any MAC team. This season MAC schools averaged 18 players per team.
With three players more than the minimum nine that make up a starting lineup, Nicholson said it was imperative his team remained healthy throughout the season.
"We are very fortunate we didn't have any significant injuries this season," Nicholson said. "A lot of players played hurt, but we are fortunate we didn't have significant injuries."
The freshmen and sophomores were key to the increase in the Cardinals' offensive output, Nicholson said.
Ball State scored more than four runs per game and broke the school record for home runs in a season with 33.
In addition to the freshman and sophomores, catcher Abby Gross and third baseman Yancey Taylor tied for Ball State's single-season home run record with eight.
Nicholson said he expects the offense to remain productive in upcoming seasons and incoming recruits should provide additional depth to the lineup.
"We are going to have a few more speed players and slap hitters," Nicholson said. "We should steal a few more bases than what we saw this year."
The Cardinals finished fifth in the MAC West Division and didn't qualify for the conference tournament. The top four teams in each division play in the MAC Tournament.
However, with most of this year's squad coming back, Nicholson said next season's expectations will be much higher.
"It is disappointing not to make the MAC Tournament," Nicholson said. "However, we are not looking to back into it, but making it in the future and winning it."
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