The Ball State University baseball team is heading into its Mid-American Conference home opener against the University at Buffalo looking to stretch its winning streak close to double digits.
The Cardinals have won six straight games and are sitting five games over .500 with a 14-9 record, including an unblemished 3-0 record in the MAC. Buffalo is 7-17, 2-3 in the MAC, and is coming off two straight losses to St. Bonaventure University.
While Buffalo might not be in the top echelon of teams in the conference, Ball State coach Greg Beals said, his team is not underestimating the Bison.
"It doesn't matter who you won against in conference, it matters what your record is," he said. "It is our conference [home] opener. As far as Buffalo, they played Central Michigan [University], who was the favorite to win the West Division and beat them twice."
If the Cardinals beat Buffalo, they will rely at least partially on their MAC-best offense.
Ball State's offense was crucial to the sweep of Kent State University last weekend but wasn't as sharp during the midweek games, Beals said.
"The reason I have been hard on our hitters in these two midweek games is because how good our approach is on the weekend," he said. "... But I think with the weekend coming up and it being a conference series, they will be ready."
Outfielder Ryan Chenoweth is part of the reason the offense has done well for the Cardinals so far this season. He was named the MAC West Division Player of the Week for hitting .455 and belting three home runs last week, and he hit a grand slam against the Indiana Institute of Technology earlier this week.
Chenoweth said he hasn't changed his approach and continues to use scouting reports to form a game plan for his plate appearances.
"Basically just looking at the scouting report we get from the coaches and bringing that into my game plan at the plate," he said. "Having a basis for what they are going to throw ... nothing has changed for me, just that same approach it's always been."
If the Cardinals can get the sweep, their closer Kyle Heyne will likely play an important role in at least one of the victories. This is the third year Heyne began the season as the closer for Ball State, and he has closed the door on victories more times than anyone else in program history.
However, Heyne has pitched in four consecutive games, raising concerns he might not be able to pitch in every game if he is needed against Buffalo. The Cardinals coaching staff will evaluate Heyne each day on his ability to pitch, Beals said.
"We'll be day-to-day with Kyle," he said. "We'll see how he feels [Friday] ... obviously he is our go-to guy, but if he's not able to go we have guys who are capable."
Heyne said after Wednesday's game he'll be ready to pitch when his numbered is called this weekend.
"I hope he doesn't give me a rest," he said. "I'll be ready to go ... I'm not going to go out there if I'm not feeling good, and I'll let him know that, but so far so good."
Whether Heyne will have to or will be able to pitch in every game against Buffalo, the Cardinals will be looking to win their seventh, eighth and ninth straight games and improve to 6-0 in the MAC.
"It would be huge," Chenoweth said. "Just showing that last season can be called a fluke, and we are out for business this year. That we are going to battle every game and want that sweep."?
In actionBall State vs. Buffalo
TIME: 3 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday
VENUE: Ball Diamond
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