Continuing its Spring Break road trip, the Ball State University baseball team will stop in Carbondale, Ill., to play a two-game series against Southern Illinois University.
Ball State will try and get back above the .500 mark after dropping three of four games against the University of Missouri last weekend to fall to 5-5. The Salukis also lost their weekend series, a three-game set against another Mid-American Conference member - Northern Illinois University.
This is the first time this season the Cardinals will play midweek games, which will give freshman right-hander Justin Warrington his first collegiate start. Warrington has relieved in three games and has not allowed a run in eight innings. Senior righty Brenden Stines will get the start Wednesday, his fourth of the year. Stines is typically the Friday starter.
Southern Illinois enters the series with a 4-9 record and having lost three of its last four games. Senior catcher Mark Kelly has a .327 average and leads the team in hits, doubles and RBIs. Freshman first baseman Chris Serritella is hitting a team high .364.
The Cardinals will look to snap a seven-game losing streak to Southern Illinois, dating back to 1970. Junior center fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker will be the key offensively. The leadoff hitter has a team-high .447 and leads the team in hits, runs, triples and on-base percentage. Sophomore third baseman Kolbrin Vitek has a .357 average and leads the team with 13 RBIs.
Ball State will return to Muncie after the series for a four-game series against Chicago State University that will include its home opener Friday.
Ball State at Southern Illinois
Game No. 11
First pitch: 3 p.m.
Abe Martin Field
Pitching matchup: RHP Justin Warrington (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Brad Lawrence (0-0, 27.00)
Weather: 73 degrees, mostly cloudy, from SSW 21 mph
Ball State at Southern Illinois
Game No. 12
First pitch: 3 p.m.
Abe Martin Field
Pitching matchup: RHP Brenden Stines (0-1, 4.82) vs. TBA
Weather: 45 degrees, mostly cloudy, from NNW 12 mph
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