Spring Break isn't for two more weeks, but the Ball State University baseball team will get some rays this weekend in South Carolina.
The Cardinals will get out of the Field Sports Building and open the 2009 season against Furman University with a four-game series. Coach Greg Beals said his team just needs to get out of the gym and play meaningful games.
"We just need to get outside and communicate in game situations," Beals said. "Make sure we're doing all the things we practiced under the fire of competition."
Senior right-hander Brenden Stines will take the hill for the Cardinals to start the campaign. Stines was 3-3 with a 7.95 ERA last season. He will face junior right-hander Ian Perry, who finished last season with a 5-5 mark and a 3.95 ERA. Stines will be followed in the rotation by right-handers Brad Piatt and Kolbrin Vitek. Piatt will start one game of Saturday's double header and will probably be followed by freshman left-hander Justin Warrington.
Furman's pitching is not as certain. After winning a school record 33 games last season, the Paladins lost 11 players, including two members of the weekend rotation. Junior right-hander Jay Jackson is the biggest loss. Jackson was drafted by the Chicago Cubs after going 9-2 with a 3.17 ERA in 99.1 innings.
"Their top three pitchers from last season, we won't see," Beals said. "We don't know a lot about their pitching, other than there's not a lot of experience there."
Ball State senior second baseman Nate Fields said the lack of knowledge won't change the Cardinals' approach at the plate.
"We just keep the same philosophy we have against any pitcher," Fields said. "We have to stick with the same approach and hit in the counts we want to hit in."
The Cardinals will key off of new leadoff hitter Jeremy Hazelbaker, who moved to the top of the lineup after shortstop Dean Anna was drafted by the San Diego Padres last year. Also key will be junior catcher Zach Dygert and Vitek, who was named to the Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Award watch list.
Furman's hitters are led by their own Brooks Wallace Player of the Year candidate Reese Wade. The sophomore outfielder hit .401, becoming the first Paladin to break the .400 mark since 1986.
Beals said he expects Furman to play a more small-ball style offense.
"They are a team that is very aggressive offensively," Beals said. "They'll try and steal some bases and bunt a lot. Very aggressive when they are swinging the bat."
No returning Paladin hit more than five home runs last season. Five returning starters hit better than .290.
The Cardinals lost their past two season openers. Their only previous meeting with Furman went 4-3 in 2004.
Beals said he wants his team to play its game and isn't concerned with past performances.
"We need to play our game of baseball," Beals said. "Make sure we're able to put all the things we've worked on all year long into play."
Ball State at FurmanGame No. 1First pitch: 4 p.m. FridayLatham Stadium, Greenville, S.C.Pitching matchup: RHP Brenden Stines (3-3, 7.95 ERA in 2008) vs. RHP Ian Parry (5-5, 3.88)Weather: 48 degrees, sunny, from WSW 11 mph
Ball State at FurmanGame No. 2First pitch: 1 p.m. SaturdayLatham Stadium, Greenville, S.C.Pitching matchup: RHP Brad Piatt (2-3, 7.12) vs. TBAWeather: 52 degrees, partly cloudy, from south 10 mph
Ball State at FurmanGame No. 3First pitch: 30 minutes following first game SaturdayLatham Stadium, Greenville, S.C.Pitching matchup: TBAWeather: 55 degrees, partly cloudy, from SSW 14 mph
Ball State at FurmanGame No. 4First pitch: 1 p.m. SundayLatham Stadium, Greenville, S.C.Pitching matchup: RHP Kolbrin Vitek (6-1, 5.65) vs. TBAWeather: 48 degrees, partly cloudy, from NW 11 mph
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