The Indiana Institute of Technology isn't known for baseball, but that is exactly who the Ball State University baseball team will play this afternoon at Ball Diamond.
The Cardinals (12-9) are fresh off a weekend series in which they swept the preseason favorite in the Mid-American Conference, Kent State University, and will look to continue the good play through two midweek home games.
"Our guys know these midweek games are part of the process," Ball State coach Greg Beals said. "Even though we played a great weekend, we are nowhere close to getting the job done. We can still play better."
Today's game will be the first of five straight home games for the Cardinals. It's been a long awaited home stretch as Ball State has played one home game in its first 21 games.
While the goals of winning and continuing to improve will remain the same, the lineup implemented won't be, Beals said.
"On the pitching side of things we are going to give our pitching staff the work they need in order to be ready to go for the weekend," Beals said. "... From the position players point we will give the bench guys an opportunity."
One area to watch against Indiana Tech will be the Cardinals fielding. Through today Ball State is tied for the most errors among MAC teams this season with 43, including eight blunders in last weekend's three games.
Beals said the errors will catch up to the team eventually despite its good record so far.
"That defense is going to hurt us," he said. "It will hurt us. It's going to bite us in the tail eventually if we don't improve on it."
Part of the problem is the Cardinals still rely on a bevy of young players, Beals said. Of the Cardinals who have started at least half the team's games this season, two have been at Ball State for longer than two seasons.
"This is still a fairly young team," Beals said. "A lot of our guys are in their sophomore year now and are starting to understand a lot of things. Hopefully soon they understand how important defense is."
Almost across the board Ball State leads the MAC in offensive statistics. Ball State has scored 198 runs, 48 more than the second best team, and has 10 more home runs than all other teams with 32. The Cardinals also lead in walks, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.
At the head if the offensive onslaught for the Cardinals is Wayne Bond Jr. He leads the conference with 26 RBIs and is second with five home runs in 20 games. Bond had five home runs and 23 RBIs all of last season in 52 games.
The center fielder credits an adjustment he made in his approach offensively.
"I think a lot of it is just my approach," Bond said. "When I get guys in scoring position I'm trying to do too much ... instead of trying to hit one over the fence, I'm just trying to put one up the middle."
Bond had eight RBIs last weekend and will look to continue swinging the same hot bat against Indiana Tech, which is exactly what Beals said he would like his team to do.
"We were tough competitors [last] weekend," he said. "We found ways to win games, we got big hits, and we won two one run games ... these guys need to find a way to play that brand of baseball [today]."
In actionBall State vs. Indiana Tech
Time: 3 p.m.
Venue: Ball Diamond
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